Maddy talks about his comeback...

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Posted: 19 years ago

'Actors these days work only to pay their EMIs'

Good work hasn't translated into more work for me, actor Rajesh Khera tells Dhaval Roy

You've come back in Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin after almost a year...
It's been 14 months that I've been away from Jassi. The serial became popular because of the staff members in Gulmohur. After the focus shifted from the character to the regular stuff on TV, like a love triangle and so many men walking in and out of Jassi's life, the audience started getting bored and TRPs started to slump down. Thankfully the creative team has realised and I've been called back. Pari is going to be back too.

How is the new Maddy different from the old one?
The basic flavour, his snootiness, is still the same. He was mean to Jassi before her makeover, he is mean to her now. Maddy this time is all about money. Aryan buys him out to not work for Gulmohur and Jassi offers him a lot of money to work. My look is all new; I had a chic entry and every now and then Maddy will look different.

Have you been watching serial after you left?
Honestly, I haven't been. But now ever since I've re-entered, I've started watching it because of a selfish reason that I am back in it.

Have you worked things out with the makers, considering you left because of financial problems?
I did not really leave because of only finances. It was the creative team's decision to sideline Gulmohur House completely when they did this whole makeover thing. It may have been a good business decision but creatively it wasn't very sound. Their idea, I guess, was to get their revenues pouring in, but they killed the creative aspect in the bargain.

What more shows are you doing?
Right now Jassi is keeping me quite busy. Sixxer should take off soon. We've been told that we will start shooting sometime soon, but it hasn't happened yet. I've done a story with Manav Gohil and Shweta Kawatra in Kahani Shuru With Love Guru, directed Parvati who did Rules — Pyar Ka Superhit Formula . She gave me good creative freedom.

What's happening on the films' front?
I'm doing Vikram Bhatt's untitled film with Zayed Khan, Sanjay Suri, Tanushree Dutta and Aftab Shivdasani. Iplay a Pakistani cab driver in it. It's not a very lengthy role, but a very nice cameo. Then, I have two very good English films, one American production with Manoj Bajpai, in which I play Manoj's friend who he backstabs later. The other one is a Canadian film called Partition, with Jimi Mistri and Neve Campbell; it's a period film.

You have been in the industry for a long time. Do you think you have got your due as an actor?
Unfortunately, the good work that I've done hasn't translated into more work. This is the case with many actors. Many of my talented actor friends are doing nothing in terms of work. Because of this, actors these days work only to pay their EMIs — of cars or houses. At times, I used to feel the same about myself. But, lately I'm doing good work again. So, I have no regrets the way my career has shaped up.