'Can you believe I missed the big OSOsong

Shreyas will be seen in Agar which also stars Tusshar Kapoor and Udita, Nagesh Kuknoor's Bombay to Bangkok, Dil Dosti and of course in one of the most awaited films of this year – Farah Khan's Om Shanti Om. He is also close to signing his deal with Shri Ashtvinayak for a sequel to one of the most successful films of 2006 – Golmaal: Fun Unlimited where he will replace Sharman Joshi.

Following is an excerpt from an interview

Where have you been all this while?
I know I have been away for too long. But actually it's not been that long. Iqbal released in 2005 and then thirteen months later in September 2006 we had Dor and then soon Apna Sapna… But the thing is I am very picky about what I do. So that's why its taken me this long to find the movies I wanted to do and it sure seems to have paid off and I will soon be seen in 4 movies. For me what is more important is that I have to feel fresh with every performance. Even if I am doing two comedies I will ensure that they are very different.

So tell us about these different roles
In Dil Dosti it's all about today's youth and our take on relationships and life. I play a Brahmin boy who comes to the city who then goes on to join university politics. Then in Agar which is a thriller I play a psychiatrist and Bombay to Bangkok is Nagesh's first proper masala film with song and dance. And when he asked me to be a part of it there was no way I could say not to it! Finally there is Om Shanti Om – I don't think there is anything I have to say about why I did that!

Tell us about Om Shanti Om
None of us can talk about our roles. But what I can tell you is about my experience. There is no way but to say it has been by far my most memorable time. I think Farah is an extremely warm and a genuine person. As an experience I would do it all over again because more than my role or part in the movie, the amount I have learnt about filmmaking and working together, it's almost been a course on Bollywood for me. It was great for someone relatively inexperienced like me because they made it look so simple, satisfying and happy on the sets.

But surely you must have been worried about working with SRK?
If I'm to be honest I will say yes. When I started working with SRK I had many misconceptions about him. I expected him to be of a particular type but I was in for a total surprise. And I'm not just saying this because I'm a part of this movie. I think you can ask anyone who knows Shah Rukh – he is so patient, involved, treats everyone so well.

And I also think a large credit should go to Farah for not allowing me to feel any less about myself. I still remember when she came to me with this role – I was and still am quite new but she treated me with utmost respect. She gave me an entire narration and mind you there are many directors who don't like to have to do that. Her approach was so different. She told me 'I think you are a good actor and that is why I want you. This is Shah Rukh's role, this is yours.' She constantly assured me of my role. My role is very interesting and it's very challenging. I'd say it is my most challenging role till date.

Everyone is talking about the song from OSO which features all the superstars of the industry.
You won't believe this but I was not even in the country when that happened. I had my commitment to Nagesh so I was shooting in Bangkok for that. But I have seen the finished song when Shah Rukh and Farah were editing and I was completely blown away. I was quite envious of the others because I would have loved to have been there. Complete envy on missing out on that for sure…

So are you a part of Golmaal 2?
Yes I have been in discussions for the role and I quite like it. I have heard the entire script but I haven't signed for it yet. But yes it's fair to say that I'm definitely giving it a good thought.

In your short career you have had an opportunity to work with the best in the field. How has that happened?
I came into this industry with no backing and no Godfather. I'm not trying to sound pompous but that's a fact. So I learnt from my mistakes but what I did not do was compromise on what I wanted from this industry. Yes I've worked with some of the best and I've made some great friends – Shah Rukh, Farah, Sangeet Sivan, Shankar Mahadevan, Nagesh. But there are plenty more I want to work with. I have learnt a lot about this industry - I may not agree with a lot that happens in it but I'm learning my way around it so I can survive in it!

So what does it take to survive in Bollywood?
First thing you need is luck definitely. But at the same time you also need to be ready for some hard work especially if you don't have some kind of backing. Like when I was doing Iqbal I didn't know it would be this big but I still gave it my best shot every single time before the camera. You need to give your 500% for every shot whether it is the first shot of your debut film or the last one of your career. Nagesh always says 'Don't act, just Be' and that's what I did. Keep at it… it's like a cricketer na... if he stays on the pitch long enough whether taking ones or twos he will make that century. But if he isn't on the pitch how will he even make a one! Sure today people come to me with certain expectations – that makes me happy because they trust me now but it also keeps me on my toes because it means I have a certain amount of pressure on me to be even better than my last film.