no more serials 4 me - article

'No more serials for me'

The actor will make his movie debut in Aamir, directed by newcomer Rajkumar Gupta (who assisted Anurag Kashyap in No Smoking).

Rajeev tells Patcy N more about his film, and his future plans.

You made a transition from documentary writer to documentary director, to a TV actor to a big screen actor.

I have seen it all. From working as a production manager and staying in a studio to becoming a producer, to doing advertisements, to seeing lakhs of rupees at a time to losing it all in debts because of shooting a pilot show which did not get approval...

When I write my autobiography, it will be very colourful!

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'Anurag's 8-year-old daughter is very fond of me'

I was plain lucky. When Anurag Kashyap saw me, he said I was the perfect choice for Aamir. He had not seen my shows on TV but he said that his eight-year-old daughter is very fond of me.

After that, Anurag saw my interview with Cyrus Broacha and he said he has never sat through an entire interview but he sat through mine because he thought I had the proper attitude towards life. That's how he selected me. Anurag and Rajkumar Gupta did not take my screen test or audition.

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'Aamir is a thriller'

Anurag is the creative producer of the film. He wanted to back the project because he liked the script.

And he would boost our morale too.

Tell us about Aamir.

Aamir is a doctor, working in London. He comes to meet his family in India. What happens next is what the story is about. It is a thriller.

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'Deep inside, I knew I did a pathetic job'

I feel there is no need for learning acting because it comes from within you. Things like voice modulation are not required. But I met a theatre personality, and I was in awe of him. He taught me to face my weaknesses.

And what were your weaknesses?

Many things. I learned to control my temperament. I was used to lavish treatment when I was working in TV serials. I would take an hour to get ready, and if I did not feel like working, I could rest. As soon I was on the sets, my man would come to me with an umbrella.

But here, whenever I wanted makeup, Rajkumar would not allow it. If I combed my hair or just ran my fingers through my hair, he would ruffle it again. If I was shooting in the scorching heat and my man came with an umbrella, Rajkumar would request me to send him back. After shooting for 48 hours at a stretch, he would want to shoot some more. If I said I hadn't slept, he would say 'paheli film hai teri, thoda mahinat karle.' (it is your first film, so work hard). So I had a tough life.

Are you doing any TV serials now?

No, I am not doing any serials now.

The small screen has a wider audience, so I like it. But I am fed up of the monotonous shows. So, no more serials for me.

What next?

I have no projects in hand. I have been offered many, but I have not signed any. After the promos of Aamir are out, people can decide if they want to invest crores of money on me.