Raj may walk out of Jassi

Are you leaving Jassi?
Although I haven't completely made up my mind, in all likelihood, I will. My contract is ending soon, and the negotiations don't look like going in my favour. I am not happy with my fee and I just want to ensure that I don't get a raw deal.

Normally, a contract is for one year. I have signed a one-and-a-half year deal.

One expects to get an increment after that. Everyone else on the show seems to have got one. Besides, my price has gone up over the last two years and I deserve a fresh contract.

Is it all about money?
Well, no. It's not all about money. I also want to make sure that my track is given more importance. But the producers have given me no indication that I will get what I have asked for.

Do you like the track the show is taking?
I haven't actually been watching the show. But from what I hear of the ratings, it's doing well. I normally read my part and act. I don't have time right now to go through the whole screenplay.

Is your character getting enough importance on the show?
Right now it is. But there was a dip earlier. For almost three months, I wasn't even on the show. I do understand their perspective, they have to follow a script, but after helping get a show to where it is, I feel slighted. I don't blame them, though.

At what point did you start feeling unhappy?
When I was I was off the show for a while. Instead of being promoted, I felt demoted.

What has Sony's reaction been?
I haven't heard a thing from them. This is between the producer and me. I don't want to run to Sony and complain. It's not professional.

The show has received a year's extension. Will you stay on if your terms are accepted?
I would love to continue. It's not always easy to be involved with a hit show. Though thankfully, I have been more than lucky on TV.

If you move on, who would you recommend for your part?
That's a real tough question. I don't know who can pull off the look and feel of my character. Arshad Warsi would be ideal.

What are some of the roles you would like to do on TV?
I would love to do a comedy show – something along the lines of Frasier. I don't think there is a good comedy show on air right now. I want to do an intelligent, yet fun comedy. I know I can deliver the part and we definitely have capable writers, I am just waiting for some channel to take up the challenge.

Are you like Raj in real life?
No. I am not gregarious at all. And I'm definitely not as desperate as my character. I am an introvert, actually. But that's what's great about acting, you get to do all sorts of things you wouldn't do in real life.

Any new shows in the pipeline?
If I don't do Jassi, I will take a break for a while. There are some things that I am working on, let's see. There are also some pilots that I have shot for.

amic@mid-day.com