"IF EKTA AND I CROSS PATHS TOMORROW, LET'S SEE"
There's one thing you've got to credit Anuj Saxena for. He's managed to invent the 48-hour work day. No, really! The number of things he fits in a single day, most of us would rather fit into our weekly schedule. But then again, with the innumerable ventures he has on hand, and many still to come, he has no option but to challenge time, every moment of his life.
It's not like he doesn't look tired. The dark circles under his eyes are a dead giveaway of the monumental hours he puts in. And yet, there is this zeal in them, quite akin to that in a 20-year-old's, who has just stepped out of college and is all set to take on the world, irrespective of how hard his detractors try to bring him down or discourage him.
That is exactly how I'd like to describe Anuj Saxena. Actor, doctor, entrepreneur, businessman, producer, restaurateur… well, it just goes on. And I'm sure, by the time I do another interview, there'll be more added to this already burgeoning list.
It's been a while since we've seen Anuj speak out in the media. Whch is surprising considering he's someone we're so used to reading about on a regular basis, be it any paper or magazine. Conscious move? "In a way, yes," he says frankly. "Sometimes it's good to be a little low-key. But now, things are slowly falling into place." And there's so much to talk about. "Exactly. I hope there's more too. It's nice to know that people still want to cast me as the lead actor. It's good for my ego," he laughs.
Since there are so many different spheres to tackle when it comes to Anuj, I decide to start with the hat he wears best. Acting, of course! Why did he choose to do the cameo in Solhah Singaarr? "It was a special request," he explains. "Also it was for just three to four episodes. It was something I did for a friend more than anything else."
He elaborates on his current acting assignments. "I have Risshton Ki Dor on Sony. There have been a couple of other offers as well. Every time I think I want to leave television, something interesting comes along. I've had about three to four really good offers in the past one-and-a-half month. I try and say no because I don't want to do two dailies at the same time. It's not possible, mainly because of my work schedule. But now I will be doing Aroonaji's (Irani) Doli Saja Ke."
And the role offered to him is that of Barkha Bisht's father. "It's good in a way. Why shouldn't I play a father? I've never played a character like that. It explores the father-daughter relationship. As an actor, you should be prepared to play any character. I know there's this thing in the industry that you shouldn't play papa or mama, because you'll get stereotyped. But you have to convince people of your abilities. Today, I may be playing a father, but then I'm playing a lover boy too."
He continues, "The only problem with Doli…is that it's a daily. When I'd told them yes, Risshton Ki Dor was supposed to go off. But it keeps getting extensions so I'm stuck right now. But I'll have to manage somehow."
Now that he's done so much on TV, is there anything left to do? "I don't know. Like I said, every time I think it's the end of the road, something comes up. I haven't done comedy. I'd like to try that. For me, it's all about experimenting. A lot of people I know haven't. They've stuck around with one particular role and one production house. I've taken the risk of doing different roles with different production houses. TV has become so big in the past five years, you never know what opportunity might knock at my door tomorrow."
Potloads of fame, much lauded for all his performances and yet no awards to show for it. Has he ever given a thought to that? "Somehow I've never got the awards. I guess the industry doesn't consider me good enough to give me an award. But it doesn't disturb me. If it comes, fine; if it doesn't, my work doesn't stop. My love for acting doesn't stop. My career obviously doesn't stop. It's no big deal really."
But Risshton…not doing as well as expected, is definitely a big deal, right? "Well, I expected much more. When the story was narrated to me, it sounded very interesting. I took it up because there wasn't anything like it on TV. The concept appealed to me. But somewhere down the line, everything got jumbled up; to be honest it has become a bhel-puri. I started wondering what the hell am I doing? There came a time I lost interest in the show."
And yet he stuck with it. "Yes I did. Mainly for relationship reasons and Gautam Adhikari. I respect him a lot, both as a director and as an individual. I've told him that I'm not happy with the role, but not that I want to quit. They're trying to work on it now. And it's not like I want my role to be improved or that I want to be the focus of it. At the end of the day, if the story works, if the show's a hit, everybody gets credit. My only problem was that they had so many tracks and sub-tracks, I just got lost. But now I'm told the TRPs are rising. It's got another extension. So let's see."
People are also talking about the complete lack of chemistry between him and on-screen wife, Urvashi Dholakia. "We've hardly shot together. There have barely been any husband and wife scenes. Chemistry between new actors obviously takes time to grow. Provided they work together. My track with her is hardly there. When you shoot with your wife once in 20 days, how will the chemistry develop?"
Point noted. I move on to his producing ambitions? How have they turned out? "Kulvaddhu will be going on air on Sony by mid December. That's my first daily soap. I've already done one interactive game show called Khiladi No 1. I have a weekly coming up on DD early next year. I'm shooting two more pilots as well. So four shows as of now, but I'd like it to be 14."
There's already much talk surrounding Kulvaddhu, which will mark his debut as television producer. Any special reason why he chose Sony? "I was approached with this concept, which I really liked. I shot a 40-minute pilot and marketed it to all the channels. Sony was the first to get back. They loved it. Also, I share a close relationship with them, which goes back to the five years we did Kkusum together. Ten days after Sony said yes, Star came forward, but by then I'd already committed to Sony."
So the decision had nothing to do with the fact that he's known as a Sony star? "Now they've started calling me a Sahara star. For me, work is work, whether it's Sony, Zee, Sahara or Star. I was interested in getting a good product out, it happened to be Sony, so I'm happy."
Sony brings to mind Kkusum, which obviously connects to Balaji and Ekta Kapoor. Ekta, who was once close pals with Anuj, does not share the same relation with him anymore. And most say the reason was Anuj choosing to opt out of Kksusm. Is there any chance of them coming together again? "I really don't know," he states forthrightly. "If tomorrow an opportunity comes, where Ekta and I get a chance to work together, I'll obviously give it a thought. I have no enemies. Firstly, life is too short. And the industry is even smaller. You tend to bump into the same people every other day. Ekta's a brilliant person, a nice girl. I wish her and her family greater success. At the end of the day, she has her own career and I have mine."
Now that he's got into production, he's also a competitor. "But I'm too small compared to her in terms of production aspects. I've just started out; she's been here for 10-15 years. She's a monument in the industry. I'm not competing with her, nor am I comparing myself with her or anyone else. I'd like to make a place for myself, create my own history and name. If Ekta and I cross paths tomorrow, let's see."
And how cool would it be if they joined hands and came up with something? "You never know. Once upon a time, we had the top show on Sony (Kkusum). I don't keep any grudges in my heart. I haven't spoken to her after I left but I'm sure we'll bump into each other. We've seen each other grow up. I've known her since I was a child. We have old family connections which go way beyond Balaji telefilms."
Another person with whom he's mended fences is Mannish Goel. "Well, we used to be close friends once upon a time. Actually, more than close, we were best friends. He's still a good friend of mine. My time constraints unfortunately do not give me too many opportunities to socialize. We talk on the phone, try and meet up too, but my constant travelling makes it difficult."
What brought about the patch-up? "I think both of us have been wanting to patch-up since quite some time. He took the initiative and that was enough for me."
Does he honestly feel it's possible for two actors to be such good friends? "From my side, yes. But then again, it depends on the two individuals involved. I don't see any reason why two actors or actresses cannot be friends. It depends on your insecurity or confidence levels. I personally have no insecurity problems, be it Mannish, Cezanne (Khan) or Ashish (Kaul). I cannot tell you from the other person's point of view if they have any insecurity with me, but I'm one guy who's very confident of who and what I am."
It's that very confidence, which has kept Anuj fixated on his acting ambitions. In fact, it's his dream to see himself on celluloid in the near future. "That's right. I haven't given up at all. Definitely, by next year, I want to do my own film. I'm doing films as a producer too. I can't reveal much now, you'll hear a big announcement soon."
No apprehensions considering his bad film experiences in the past? "Once bitten, twice shy. Twice bitten, third time shy. But I'm hoping it's third time lucky for me. Every actor dreams of the big screen and I don't think I'm any different. Now I have the advantage of having my own production house, Maverick, which makes a big difference. But I won't make a film with myself for the heck of it. I may be an actor but I will never forget that I'm a producer too, and I have to put in money at the end of the day."
Everyone wants to know the fate of his much-delayed film, Lips. "I have no idea. It was a good film, well made. Had it released some one-and-a-half year ago, it would've done okay. I have honestly not been in touch with either my producer or director, to find out what's happening. I've kind of given up on it."
He makes it a point to add, "If it comes out now, I'll definitely promote it. I'm very proud of everything I do, including Lips. I don't feel embarrassed nor do I ever regret. I've done the film, so I'll stand by it."
With so much filling up his life, does he have any time for a personal life? "Not really, but I make time. It's all about time management. I try to go out with friends, at least on weekends. And I take Sunday off to sleep. I work really long hours (quite an understatement!), so I need that one day to just chill out."
Chill out with Juhi Parmar perhaps, considering that's the rumour going around? "Like you said, they're only rumours," he retorts. "She's a good friend but then I'm friends with so many people. Juhi and I have gone out for a couple of films together, we meet at parties. So people go 'Aah, look they've come together. They must be seeing each other'. But then again, it's my personal life and I don't like to talk about it. I don't think I want to discuss it with anyone else."
So these link ups don't bother him? "Not at all. I love them. They're good for my image," he jokes. "I don't deny them nor do I accept them. I just keep quiet. Because ultimately, people will believe what they want to."
People do believe what they want to. In quite the same manner that Anuj has complete belief in all his dreams and aspirations. "All my dreams do come true. I chase them to make sure they do. I'm very high on life today; because there's so much going for me. At the end of the day, I have a vision. And slowly and surely, I'm getting there." Well Anuj, I doubt there's anyone out there who'll question your resolve!
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