TOI: Hoping for Hollywood to happen-Rajesh

Rajesh Khera talks of his role in Deepa Mehta's film and new series on television with Saadia S Dhailey

Rajesh Khera has entered a new phase in his career. He's landed himself a new series on television where he plays the central character, and for the first time in his 16-year stint in the industry, he will also have a romantic interest. And he's equally charged about being part of Deepa Mehta's adaptation of Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children. He talks about all this and doing ads.

On center stage
Khera, who is best remembered for playing Maddy, the gay designer on Jassi... is very excited about his new show, where he plays the CEO of a channel. "My character is very stylized. I am not saying this for the sake of effect, but my contemporaries have reason to be envious of me." The show has many a firsts for Khera. "It's the first time I am playing a central character in a series, and so is the romantic track a first."

Ticket to Hollywood
As expected, Rajesh is all praises for Deepa Mehta, though it wasn't a smooth ride. "On my first day at the workshop, she'd taken badly to me. She was apprehensive and wondered if I'd deliver. Plus, I couldn't relate to the energies of the rest of the cast.

But, both Rajesh and Deepa's apprehensions were laid to rest during the schedule in Sri Lanka. He says he plays a vicious disciplinarian in a school. "I have one scene in the film. It's with Darsheel Safary, who's the protagonist, but I am sure it will leave an impression. I have my fingers crossed. I feel this will be my ticket to Hollywood."

(Ad)ding a new dimension
After playing a devil, Rajesh complains he was never approached for any ads. "I was typecast. It happened even after Jassi... I was offered only gay roles. And now, after six years, he's glad he's shot for one recently. "And it's just so converse. This one has me playing a pandit," informs.