TOI: Gujarat feels like second home!

You've seen him as Raj Kumar Aryan in Raj Kumar Aryan, Deven of Woh Rehne Waali Mehlon Ki, Rajveer of Mera Naam Karegi Roshan or the conniving Lakhiya of Phulwa, but Anirudh Dave claims that it's not really important to play the lead role all the time, the way the role shapes up is vital.

Being genetically blessed with good looks and a winning smile made it easy for him to become an actor. He confesses, "right from the beginning I was keen on acting. Getting to play the male lead in my first show was really a huge high."

Now that he's playing a grey character in Phulwa, did he have any reservations at all? "If you want to prove your acting abilities, doing something different helps. To play a character with negative shades helps you open up as an actor, which you can't do when you are playing a typical good boy. I really enjoy playing Lakhia, as he has a completely different style and accent. If people hate me as a villain, then I have done my job successfully," says Anirudh. In fact, he goes on to say that he's already had a rebuff from a fan for this role. "Once a fan wanted to talk to me when I was travelling, but his young son refused to let him to do that because I am this evil guy who harrasses Phulwa. That I think was a huge compliment to me as an actor" However, Anirudh confesses that he doesn't want to be caught in an image trap and is in the mood for some experimentation. "I have played positive roles in the past and I am open to playing the good boy again." Anirudh is now all set to do an untitled television soap.

Anirudh's also tried his hand in films and has done an important role in Satish Kaushik's Teree Sang. So like many from his fraternity, is B-Town his next destination? "I love acting and if I am offered a good role, I'd love to do films as well," he says. Anirudh's also done a lot of theatre. "Theatre has helped me grow as an actor. I am passionate about theatre because it is the best medium to learn. I have worked with veterans like the late Nirmal Pandey and learned a lot from them. Theatre might not get me bread and butter, but it satisfies the artist in me," he says.

In real life Anirudh is soft spoken and surprisingly down to earth — a total contrast to his mean and evil screen avatar. "It's challenging to portray something that I am not," he laughs. Anirudh keeps visiting Gujarat frequently on religious trips. He says, " Mumbai is my karmbhoomi, so it's special, but Gujarat is my second home. I enjoy the wonderful food. Gujaratis are very cordial," says Anirudh on a parting note.