Riding High

You come from an army background,how did television and film happen?
Before I got selected for Roadies I was all ready to fill my forms to join the army. I would have been the sixth generation in my family to join the army and that’s what the plan always was. I had no interest in acting and modelling ever. I guess that’s why I was never into my looks and all,so I came across as very comfortable in front of the camera. Things just kept going forward after Roadies and I’m still just going with the flow.

How did your army family react when you decided to give up the army for entertaining people?
They thought that I was being a brave man by taking the path of being an actor. Being in the army would have been so much easier because my life would be set for the next 35 years. Here I don’t know if I’ll have work tomorrow.

Does your MTV VJ image prevent you from getting serious roles?
Yes,most of the roles I get offered are the cool dude college boy type roles. I try not to do too much of that because then people won’t take me seriously in other roles. Luckily I have got offers for some serious stuff too.

What genre would you love to work in?
I can’t wait to do a kick-back action flick.

The heroine you want to be cast opposite?
Neetu Singh. I’m just dying to work with her. I met Ranbir Kapoor the other day and I told him that I love his mom. He said he understood because I’m Punjabi. Even though she had just one scene in Love Aaj Kal,she was amazing.

VJ versus actor?
I like being a VJ because I know that I can just be and be liked for being the person that I am. But I love pretending to be other people once in a while in films too.

Worst thing about being a VJ?
Nothing. There are times during Roadies when I don’t sleep for days and I’m cut and bruised all over. But I still love every minute of it.

Worst thing about being an actor?
Waiting for shots to happen. I believe that if u want to be an actor u have to have a lot of patience. But I actually enjoy the wait; I have all this time to just chill. There are also people waiting on you and will run and get whatever you need. What’s there to complain about that?

So have you made Mumbai your home now?
I guess so. Though I hate having to take care of myself and wake up the morning with a plan of what to cook and shop for. I’m so sick of that and wish someone would take care of me.

So get married then.
To whom? There’s nobody to marry right now.