ARTICLE: I like acting with Iqbal uncle

From the bylanes of Parle Point in Surat to being acknowledged as the best child actor on Indian television (he recently won the award in Mumbai).

From Surat to tellyland:
When I was four year old, my father, a private tutor, took me to a photo studio and the owner of the studio, after seeing my snaps, suggested that we forward them for advertisements. That's how it all started. I went for different auditions and one day Ekta aunty (Ekta Kapoor) selected me in her serials. I don't get tired because I like doing the work. I am enjoying myself.

School and studies:
I am now studying in Sri Sri Ravishankar Vidya Mandir School in Surat. I haven't missed a year, as my parents enrolled me in Mumbai's Little Angel School last year and I did my Junior K G there. I have won 13 medals and three trophies for skating at city, district and state level. I love playing cricket. Let me share a secret with you — I really want to be a cricketer!

My favourites:
Sachin Tendulkar is my favourite cricketer. I love watching Hanuman cartoons and my favourite actors are Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan. And yes, I love aeroplanes and helicopters.

Acting with big stars:
I enjoyed my acting stint with Iqbal uncle (Iqbal Khan) and Hiten Uncle (Hiten Tejwani). Iqbal uncle and I do lots of boxing and Hiten uncle calls me Shaitan. I like to act with them because they play with me.

On winning the best child actor award:
I received the award from Shaan uncle so I am very happy. And now people have started recognising me. One day when I was travelling by an aeroplane, one airhostess address me as Pratik ( his screen name) and gave me all the chocolates from her plate.