‘I believe in work that qualitative’Anuj

The lure of the screen can indeed stretch far. There are thousands of acting hopefuls trying their luck day in and day out in the City of Dreams. For some, the gamble pays off, for others it just doesn't. It may sound surprising, but there are many in Tellywood for whom acting happened just like that while they were busy pursuing other career options.

Anuj Saxena, for instance, is a qualified doctor who was running his successful family pharmaceutical business when the acting bug bit him. Anuj got launched in a movie by Viveck Vaswani which sank without a trace following which he did a few insignificant roles in TV serials in the late 90s. He struck gold with Balaji Telefilms after he got selected for Kkusum and later in serials like Pratima and Risshton Ki Dor. Even now Anuj juggles a successful acting career along with his business and his newly found production venture. "Actually, I am handling all of it quite well," says Anuj smugly, adding that now he has become an expert in multi-tasking.

Haatim and Resham Dankh star Raahil Azam is another surprise. His first profession? "I am a qualified software engineer. I was working in Bangalore before I ended up in this profession. I realised acting was my calling," says Raahil who maintains that it was pure fascination and the will to do something different which landed him in this aasmaan.

Saakshi Tanwar, one of the famous bahus now, was a former computer software consultant. After graduation, Saakshi was preparing for entrance tests to the administrative services and mass communications when a close friend suggested that she audition for a film song- based programme on Doordarshan. Meanwhile, her 'traditional' career didn't take off when she failed to clear either of the tests. "If I don't get through any exam in the first attempt then it is not meant for me," says Saakshi. That's when the small screen happened for Saakshi Tanwar.

Even then, during her initial days, Saakshi tried to keep her other 'interests' alive. She picked serials that didn't require much commitment so that she could continue with a computer course. For a long time Saakshi divided her time between computer classes and acting. She was seen in Ehsaas, Dastoor, X-Zone, Bhanwar, Rajdhani among other serials, before the big one — Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii — happened. Surprisingly, in spite of her inclination towards a corporate career, Saakshi has been playing Parvati, a woman who takes all injustices in the world lying low so convincingly for years. Surely, that's what acting is all about!

Another actor made famous by Balaji serials, Ronit Roy, was into a different profession, too, before the greasepaint got to him. Ronit initially started out as an editor. The money was good and he continued as an editor even as his film career didn't take off. Until, of course, his television career gave him stardom, fame and money.

"I am a graduate in physical education," claims Sharad Kelkar who plays Nahar Singh in the super successful Saat Phere. In fact, Sharad was working as a physical instructor before he got into acting on a fullfledged basis.

Well, that explains Sharad's great physique and his popularity among female audiences. But seriously, there are certainly many other such small screen aspirants working silently elsewhere and waiting for things histrionic and glamorous to fall into place.

(Sampurn)

'I believe in work that is qualitative'

Doctor-businessman turned actorAnuj Saxena has now turned producer with Kulvaddhu

Anuj Saxena is a role model to anyone who wants to try out almost everything in his/her fast paced life. He believes in living life kingsize and strives to achieve all that he dreams of. The businessman-cum-doctor-cum-actor Anuj turned producer some time ago with his production company suitably named, Maverick, which is producing the high-profile Sony show, Kulvaddhu.

"I am very excited about my show Kulvaddhu that's being aired on Sony since December," he says. Anuj is quite keyed up about his serial and is positive that it will do very well. He has chosen a promising list of actors for the venture. "The lead character is being played by Daljit Kaur, a new face in the television industry. The cast also includes proficient actors like Milind Gunaji, Kitu Gidwani, Sushmita Mukherjee, Suhasini Mulay, Seema Bhargav, Sonali Verma, Anup Upadhyay and many others," he informs.

He is confident mainly because he feels that the plot and content of his serial is unique. Giving a general idea of the serial he says, "It's all about the life of a modern girl who wishes to live life as it comes. You would see a modern girl re-living the trials and tribulations of Indian culture, heritage and values. Niyati, the lead character, played by Daljit Kaur is that of a bubbly girl who gets transformed into a woman being caught on the wrong side of fate."

Anuj believes in delivering the best in everything and quality production matters to him the most. "I believe in work that is qualitative. The content of my show has to be better than the rest and the look of the show is also very important for me. My attempt is to make something better than everyone else's," he asserts.

But this does not mean that Anuj Saxena, the producer, has withdrawn from the acting front. Apart from playing Suhas in Rishton Ki Dorr, he is doing a serial for Aroona Irani. "I am playing the lead role in Aroona Irani's Doli Saja Ke. I am playing the character of a husband who is married twice and has a daughter with the first wife. It's basically about a father-daughter relationship. I am quite happy with the way my character is shaping up. But I can't reveal too much as I am not allowed to do so," Anuj informs excitedly.

So what does he enjoy more? Is it acting or does he find producing more pleasing? "You know, I enjoy everything I do. I just believe in giving my best to whatever I do. I enjoy both equally," he replies.

Anuj's company was supposed to produce movies, too. So what's the growth like on that front? "We will be announcing any development on that front soon in early 2007." Anuj simply loves the way he has balanced everything so efficiently and has no complaints at all. "I never take it as a burden. It is more of a passion for me. I have learnt to create the right balance which is the reason you will always find me enjoying whatever I do," he says positively.