TV gives me satisfaction'

He can melt you with his child-like innocent smile. Catch up with the former Grasim Mr India, Rakesh Bapat who is enjoying his television stint in Saat Phere...Saloni Ka Safar on Zee television. JAYA BISWAS reports.

Q You started off with films like Tum Bin and Dil Vil Pyar Vyar before taking the plunge into the small screen. Comment.
Since I come from a defence background, for me, acting happened by default. After winning Grasim Mr India, I thought of doing television but films came my way. I had no godfather in the industry and could not market myself as most actors do, completely unaware of the mechanisms in Bollywood. So things did not work out for me as they should have been otherwise.

Q Are you satisfied with how your character is shaping up in Saat Phere... What enticed you to take up this serial?
Now the plot will get more intriguing and the focus will solely be on Saloni (Rajshree Thakur) and me. I am really excited about the twists and turns of the events that will follow. I had been getting a few television offers earlier but nothing seemed to be quite interesting. In fact, I was called for Ek Ladki Anjaani Si on Sony Entertainment Television which came at the same time as Saat Phere... However, I opted for the latter, mainly because its a fantastic subject.

Q As an actor, where do you think your forte lies?
I think you need to grow with every venture you do. An actor should not limit himself to doing cliched roles and should be versatile enough to mould himself according to any given character.

Q Do you think television has done justice to your talent more than the film industry?
A. Of course it has. It is not that I don't enjoy doing films, but television gives me equal satisfaction. Going by the sleek productions that are being churned out these days, the medium can no longer be considered a poor cousin to the big screen and I am happy to be a part of the tube brigade.

Q After devoting so much time and energy on this tele-novella Saat Phere... , do you think, you can find time for film assignments?
Be it television or movies, I believe in the theory that when it has to happen, it will happen. Next, I will be seen in Dev Basu's Jadoo Sa Chal Gaya opposite Meera Vasudevan, who plays my wife. The plot revolves around this couple and the ups and downs in their lives. Shot entirely in Darjeeling, the film is a mid-2006 release.

bye enjoyyyyy....