'Yrs back I was offered the role of Mihir

IHow do you sum up your career so far?
I did my first television show for Home TV years back. It was produced by Ramesh

Sippy and starring Irrfan Khan, Ritu Raj Singh, Om Puri and Kitu Gidwani. Then I did Shanti on DD1 followed by Sea Hawks by Anubhav Sinha on DD Metro. This gave me an opportunity to work with Madhavan, Nikki Aneja and Simone Singh. At that time there were no dailies, so I was happy with weeklies. Then in 2002 stopped doing television. I got the role of Shabana Azmi's brother-in law in Godmother and I did films like Fizaa, Hatyar, Footpath, Inteha, Kagaar, Sheen, and Apaharan. But somehow, in 2004, I started doing television again. I did CID special bureau for one and a half years and later Remix

So, after doing shows like Saaya and Remix, how did you land up in a saas bahu show?
There's no denying that it's an age of daily soaps. And I am an actor, so I didn't judge the role by the nature of the soap. I found the character of Suyesh Mehra interesting, so I took it up. It was a very different role from what I had done earlier.

But it must have been a tough decision to replace Mohnish Behl?
When I was approached for Suyesh Mehra's role, my first reaction was that if Mohnish Behl was essaying the role, then it must be a good role. Mohnish had acted as Suyesh Mehra only for three months. So, when I stepped in his shows, I was accepted over a period of three weeks. Mohnish is senior to me and we bump into each other at parties. I did ask him as to why he had left the show, to which he said he wasn't too convinced about the track.

On a personal level how far do you relate with Suyesh Mehra?
Suyesh is tough, disciplined but not arrogant. Of course, I can't sign cheques worth 500 crores like Suyesh Mehra does. The warmth, sensitivity and discipline is what I also have in real life.

How is it working with Saakshi Tanwar?

She's a very good actress. We knew known each other for the last six years back as actors. Our working rapport is excellent. The biggest similarity between us is that we are passionate about acting. The atmosphere on the sets is good. I was welcomed in the unit although initially I felt awkward as all of them have been working with each other since five years. The co-stars now play carom board as well we joke with each other.

How's your relationship with Ekta Kapoor?
I share quite a professional relationship with Ekta Kapoor. After I started shooting for Kahaani, the only topic we discussed was my character. Previously, I had met her nine years ago when I did a show for Shobha Kapoor's brother. I was initially offered the role of Anupam Kapadia Kyunki…but I didn't take it up as I wanted to do films at that time. Then I was offered the role of Mihir, which was eventually done by Indra Kumar and then by Ronit Roy.

Are you satisfied with your film career?
The films I worked in haven't clicked. If the film is not a hit then it makes no difference to your career even if you have performed well. My last film released was Thatasthu. My forthcoming film is Tarkash in which Suchitra Pillai has been paired opposite me. It's about male chauvinism and is produced and directed by actor Kamal Sadanah.

You've done television and films both. What gives you more creative satisfaction?
In today's market the medium doesn't matter. The reach of both the mediums is almost equal. On a personal level I only look for good roles and good work.

Do unconventional looks help?
Appearance is important. Afterall, television is a visual medium and how a person looks also helps in getting roles. But then each person has a particular look.

So, what are your future plans?
For the next five years I want to concentrate on acting and after that I may venture into direction. Offers keep pouring in. I do get 10-12 days free in a month and I would like to try my hand at comedy

After Saaya how come U TV didn't offer you any roles?
I have done Shaanti, Sea Hawks and Saaya for UTV. They did approach me with an offer to replace Mannish Goyal in Bhabhi, which I didn't take up.

Apart from acting what keeps you going?
I have been a faculty at Kishore Namit School ten years back for a period of one and a half years. I used to take speech and voice classes. I had students like Apoorva Agnihotri, Mannish Goyal Priya Gill, Akshaye Khanna and Shabad Khan.

You are not seen at any of the page 3 parties. Do you have friends in the industry?

Madhavan and Salil Ankola are my good friends. With Madhavan I did three shows including Saaya, Sea Hawks and Badltey Rishtey and we bonded very well. He is based in Madras but whenever he comes to Bombay we catch up.