Gurmeet's Interview

Why not, says Gurmeet Choudhary, the star of TV hits like Ramayan, Geet and Punar Vivah, who makes his film debut with the Bhatts

So, Ram turns into Raavan now?

(Laughs) Hey, I'm a good guy. I don't think I'll ever be perceived as Raavan.

While Ramayan was a popular show, unlike the other Rams, Ramji ke ashirwad se I didn't get typecast, .

With GeetHui Sabse Parayi and Punar Vivah I quickly broke out of the mythological mould. Today, when I'm spotted on the street, people don't address me by the names of the characters I've played on TV--Ram, Maan or Yash--but as Gurmeet. That has given me the confidence to experiment with different roles.

Making your debut in a horror film is a gamble...

Khamoshiyan isn't a typical horror film. It's more about the supernatural.

It has great music. The title track, even without the video, is already a hit and the other songs will also be a rage.

Also, it has an interesting story line with the mystery, melody and man sion of Mahal...And the chills and thrills of Raaz which I bunked school to see, first day, first show, as a seventh grader.

After I won Nach Baliye, I was told I should work with the Bhatts. And as luck would have it Mukeshji (Mukesh Bhatt) called me, samne se. His banner has launched many new talents who've become stars overnight, from John Abraham and Bipasha Basu to Mallika Sherawat and Emraan Hashmi.

Do you think you can become the next Emraan Hashmi?

Why not? Mukeshji says I'm very pro fessional, hardworking and dil ka ach cha. I'm the surprise package of the film and he has assured me that peo ple will remember my performance long after they've left the theatre. He insists I'm their next star.

A pet peeve of the Bhatts is that their proteges don't look back once they've made it big...

I come from an army background. I've been loyal even to my TV producers.

Mukeshji is making a village boy's dream of becoming a film actor come true. He's not just my godfather, but a father figure. I have a three-film deal with his company. That doesn't stop me from working with outside banners but I run all offers through him.

So, what's the next project?

There's another film with the Bhatts.

I'm a trained martial artiste, a black belt and a good dancer. That film will showcase these talents.

You're also known for your body...

(Laughs) You will see a lot of it in Khamoshiyan. Men see me as a macho action hero and girls as a Prince Charming. Sabko kush karna hai.

Won't all the female attention upset your wife Debina Banerjee?

(Chuckles) Ab thodi si jealousy to hogi, but our chemistry is strong. She has been calling me on sets to tell me to do my shots, bejijhak. My real life Sita will always be special and I've promised her that she'll make an appearance in all my films.

What's she doing in Khamoshiyan?

(Smiles) You want me to spoil the suspense.

What frightens Gurmeet?

I was terrified for the first couple of days into the shoot. Karan Dara, my director, is new, but Mukeshji, Bhatt saab (Mahesh Bhatt), Vikram (Bhatt) and Mohit Suri were also there. It was only after a big scene okayed in one take was greeted with taaliyan that I began to feel confident.

Aaj to bhoot se bhi nahin darta.

Will you go back to TV?

I've been a part of everything big but TV has given me every thing. If something hat ke comes up, I'll be back. If Amitabh Bachchan can do TV, why not me?