Launch Vehicle
I am playing a superstar, Sharman Kapoor, in Agyaat. It is a story of how eight people, who are working on a film and go for shooting in a jungle and find themselves stuck there. Sharman is an extremely short-tempered, full-of-himself character, who always thinks he is right. However, as the story progresses, you witness a transformation in his character.

Casting Coup
I got a call from Ram Gopal Varma’s office last November saying that he wanted to meet me. I went there the next day with apprehension, since I had heard that he is someone who doesn’t talk much. However, he spoke at length about the film. In fact, once he met me, he was in two minds since he had earlier wanted me to do the action-director’s role but in the course of the meeting, thought of interchanging it with Sharman’s role. He took a day’s time to re-think and the next day, he confirmed that he wanted me to play the superstar.

First Shot
The first scene I shot was originally the opening scene of the film. It required me to express irritation and arrogance as I land at the airport along with my unit members. I had to shout at people for the minutest discomfort I faced during the flight and the landing. Though it’s no longer the opening scene, Ramuji was quite impressed with it. After an initial briefing, he told me to approach the scenes my way, saying it was my baby.

Stepping-Stone
I started my career with television commercials for Close Up, Center Fresh, Lifebuoy, Toyota, Titan and Coke (wherein Aamir Khan played a sherpa.) During this time, I started getting offers for television shows. My first assignment for the small screen was a kid’s adventure show Lucky wherein I played the lead role. Baa Bahu Aur Baby, Rishtey, Thrill At 10 and Simple Sapney followed. I also did a brief role in Annarth back in 2002, followed by U Bomsi N Me. Unfortunately, the latter did not hit the theatres.

Stumbling Block
Honestly, since I had to play a superstar and I am an actor myself, I had a brief idea of the character’s behaviour. The challenges came in the form of action scenes that were stressful and tiring at times. I remember these two to three particular sequences, wherein a lot of rugged action is involved.

Lessons Learnt
I believe the film has shaped up the way we had perceived it before we started shooting. And that to me it means a lot; it’s like I already had my acting lessons in place.

Matinee Idol
I would say Aamir Khan and Anil Kapoor are my matinee idols. I have worked with Aamir on a Coke commercial and I love the way he functions, the way he waits for his cues and never moves from the sets. He is also a no-tantrum person. I also appreciate Anil Kapoor as an actor.