Pawan[Ajit] enters Balaji camp

The latest addition to the cast of Aaisa Des Hai Mera is model-turned-actor Pawan Shankar. He plays Ajit Singh Gill who'll become protagonist Ruchi's — Rusty of London becomes Ruchi in India — pillar of strength and heartthrob. While Rusty comes from England in search of her father's family in Chandigarh, Ajit comes from Canada. No, not in search of his roots like Ruchi but to broker peace between three old friends who are foes now.

Ruchi helps him in his mission and gradually they come closer and fall in love. "It's very different from my role in Siddhant," says Pawan. "Ajit is a cool, chilled out guy. He's fun loving and is always in control of himself in any situation. He gets along well with Ruchi though they have their share of fun fights. Gradually they fall in love." The character is inspired by Shah Rukh Khan's role in Dilwale Dulhanya Le Jayenge where Khan and Kajol argue throughout their whirlwind tour of Europe but ultimately fall in love.

In sharp contrast Pawan's role in Siddhant was that of a lawyer. "It was negative but a powerful role for which I won the Indian Telly award for best actor," smiles the young, good-looking actor who was far away from the world of showbiz three years ago.

An MBA in finance, he was working for Essar Cellphone. But his friend Monisha Oberoi, a newsreader at Zee News, his colleague at Essar, encouraged him to try out a new career option. Together they made two documentaries for the HRD and Sports ministries. He came to Mumbai and Manisha along with other friends encouraged him to switch careers.

"I was happy with my job but still I took the plunge because I am not the sort of person to stick to one job for years," reasons the actor, adding that modeling and acting offers came his way simultaneously. So while he did commercials like Reid & Taylor, TVS Spectra and Wipro Lighting he also started shooting for Siddhant.

"I took a risk by switching over from a secure job but it has paid off well," gushes Pawan who takes keen interest in Hindi literature, especially poetry. "Since I come from Allahabad, reading Hindi literature is in my family. I don't write but I read a lot and my Hindi is pretty decent." It is widely believed that if you are a TV actor Balaji is the right place to be in. And Pawan doesn't disagree.

In fact, Ekta had offered him the role of Sujal in Kahiin To Hoga but he couldn't accept the offer because of date problems. "I have had several offers from Balaji but somehow things didn't work out," he adds. But now things have worked out well and Pawan is all set to do a serial for Ekta. "It will be announced very soon," he says but refuses to reveal the details.