Face off 8212; Sanjay Suri

Model Sanjay Suri tells Deepa Deosthalee that acting is easy -- if you are playing yourself. And his character in Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhii...

Model Sanjay Suri tells Deepa Deosthalee that acting is easy 8212; if you are playing yourself. And his character in Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhiis on the mark

Oh no, not again! Another model bitten by big screen aspirations?

quot;Well, cricketers have taken to modelling and models have turned actors. Frankly, it doesn8217;t make a difference. Besides I8217;ve already done a bit of acting in my ad films as well since more and more ads require character models.quot;

Okay, point taken. But where did he come from in the first place?

Sanjay spent the first 19 years of his life in picturesque Srinagar and had a proper small-town upbringing. quot;We packed our bags and moved to Delhi in 1990 after my father got killed by militants. I finished my education, joined an export house, started my own garment business and finally got my portfolio done because I wanted to give modelling a serious shot.quot; That8217;s a typical Sanjay answer 8212; matter-of-fact and objective about almost everything.

How did he end up inMumbai?

quot;I was fascinated by ad films and cinema. In Delhi there isn8217;t scope for either. I did model for a lot of press ads there, but finally I started getting work in Mumbai and shuttled up and down for a while. Eventually I came here for good in 1997.quot;

And did he start looking for film assignments right away?

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quot;Actually I8217;d decided to do the first thing that came my way. Modelling suited me fine. I think it was a good move because it definitely gave me high visibility 8212; besides it8217;s a lucrative profession.quot; It sure is, especially if you8217;ve managed to do as many as 50 ad-films in just two years 8212; from Vimal and Ruf amp; Tuf to Wills, Ceat, Sunrise Coffee and Hero Honda.

Looks like he8217;s everyone8217;s favourite model. Why8217;s that?

quot;The going was never really tough. I guess I had a face which suited clients8217; requirements 8212; the dependable guy next door. There are no superstars in modelling anymore 8212; agencies are pegging their ads on believable characters and situations.quot;

Didn8217;t healso do a bit of television by the side?

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Yes, but not the serials and soaps8217; variety. He anchored a travel show called Indian Holiday that took him across the southern and western parts of the country. quot;The concept required a candid look because it was all about budget travel. I remember when we went to Kerala, I was unwell and kept throwing up all along the journey. When I faced the camera I said Hello guys, I8217;m feeling sick, but here we are in Kerala8217;.quot;

So how did he land up in Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi?

quot;I got a call from Raj Kaushal last year. He gave me a narration and I was in. The fact that everyone involved with the film was new to the medium actually helped. We had a 45-day shoot and the film was done.quot;

So, what8217;s he doing in the film?

Playing Bugs, the intelligent, sensible, mature guy in a gang of students at a performing arts college. quot;When they cast the actors, they tried to find people who would fit their roles perfectly. I guess they felt I was right forthis slightly serious, reserved guy who8217;s a romantic at heart and can do anything for his friends.quot;

And is he really all of the above?

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quot;For most part, yes. I think I am level-headed and slightly idealistic in terms of romance. Bugs is a man who8217;s seen it all, which makes him a solid character 8212; it was relatively easy to play that part.quot;

Any other films on the cards?

quot;I8217;ll start meeting people after the film releases. But I8217;m already discussing a couple of projects 8212; we8217;ll have to wait and see what happens.quot;

So how does he assess his journey from Srinagar to Mumbai via Delhi?

quot;I belong to Kashmir and frankly its disgusting to compare it with Mumbai or Delhi 8212; it8217;s a beautiful, beautiful place. But it8217;s also one part of my life that8217;s over 8212; I8217;ve no plans of going back. The present situation in the valley is an outcome of everything that8217;s happened over the last 50 years and I want to put it all behind.quot;

How does life in Mumbai suit him?

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quot;I like the attitude ofpeople here 8212; they are very accepting. When I came here I knew no one 8212; didn8217;t know where to go. Now I have many friends 8212; bankers, businessmen, actors and models.quot;

So does he socialise a lot?

Not really. quot;I8217;m either at home or at work. Sometimes I do go out with my friends but otherwise I8217;m not into stuff like partying, pool or bowling 8212; though I love playing basketball. When I8217;m at home I end up cooking and dusting 8212; since I live alone. I also like to watch movies and read 8212; mostly books on spiritualism.quot;

Wait a minute. What was that again? Something about spiritualism?

quot;I do transcendental meditation 8212; I got into it because of my family and now I8217;m addicted to it. I8217;m not here to take sanyas 8212; but I believe in the law of Karma. Our present deeds make our destiny and we are accountable for what we make of our lives.quot;

So what8217;s his motto?

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quot;Dreams unlimited. I have the drive and the will to make my mark. I8217;m not greedy but I have a strong survival instinct. I8217;ll alwaysdo things my way 8212; through proper means and channels.quot;

Does romance or marriage fit into his scheme of things at all?

Not for the moment. quot;I8217;m single and happy.quot;