||* AnGini--A New Beginin' # 1 *|| - Page 45

After staying away from soaps for a long time, popular TV actor Apurva Agnihotri, whose ultimate desire is to be a writer, makes a comeback with Star Plus' "Sapna Babul Ka...Bidaai" and says reality show kept him away from serials.

"I think reality shows have spoilt the TV actors. They (reality shows) offer quick and easy money. So if you are popular on TV and want to earn good money, go for reality shows - that's what most of the people are doing these days. And reality shows kept me away from soaps," Apurva told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

The actor was last seen on Imagine TV's reality show "Pati, Patni Aur Woh" with his wife Shilpa Saklani. He had also participated in Star Plus' dance reality show "Nach Baliye".

So what brought him back to acting?

"Firstly, Rajan Shahi (producer of 'Bidaai') offered me this role and I could not refuse him because he is an amazing producer. I love him, no matter how gay that may sound. Secondly, I eagerly wanted to work with Star Plus, an opportunity I didn't get after 'Nach Baliye'," he said.

Apurva has joined the cast of "Bidaai" as Anmol. He as joined the series that has taken a seven year leap.

"Anmol is a very positive person. When he enters the scene, everyone is very depressed and unhappy, but after a while he'll be the one who makes them smile," he said.

"As of now, whenever one thinks of 'Bidaai', its key characters Sadhna, Alekh and Ragini come to their mind. After six months, I want that even I should be a popular character in the show and become the top of mind recall for the audience," said Apurva.

Apurva rose to popularity on the small screen as Armaan sir in "Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi". Thereafter, he did shows like "Kaajjal" and "Radha Ki Betiyaan Kuch Kar Dikhaayengi".

He was first seen in Subhash Ghai's film "Pardes", which also featured stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Amrish Puri. He continued his big screen journey with movies like "Pyaar Koi Khel Nahin" and "Krodh".

The 37-year-old says there isn't much difference in the life of a popular TV actor and a movie actor as far as work is concerned.

"The schedule of a TV actor is almost as hectic as a movie actor. You have to work really hard in TV as well as big screen to establish yourself," he said.

He also wants to follow his father, film writer Gyandev Agnihotri who wrote hits like "Yarana" and "Mr. Natwarlal", and be a writer one day.

"I will be the happiest person to follow the footsteps of my father. My ultimate desire in life is to become a successful film writer and director. This is what I consider doing in future as soon as I get a good offer," he said.

Last updated on Jul 4^th, 2010 at 15:45 pm IST--IANS