Sudesh Berry-I was offered SRK's role in Darr

On his recent visit to Kanpur actor Sudesh Berry talks to us about his career, his son Suraj and more...

From the boxing ring to the silver screen An ardent boxer, Sudesh's father made him leave the sport when he was knocked out by an opponent in a bout. "I used to participate in boxing championships while in college. Once during a championship my opponent knocked me down hard and I fainted and when my father came to know about it he asked me to quit boxing. Though it was a tough decision but I left it. One day a friend of mine took me to a an acting workshop and I quite liked it. So, I got involved in dramatics and then I joined IPTA. I did plays for a while and then I started getting offers for films and went on to do big ones like Vansh, Yudhpath, Border and LOC Kargil. In fact, you will be surprised to know that Aamir Khan, Sunny Deol and Ashutosh Gowarikar were also in the same college," says Berry.

ALSO READ: Sudesh Berry: I don't need to slap or kiss people to get work

People think I am a snob Berry, who has an image of a snob in the industry, says he is not like that in real life. "People in the industry think that I am arrogant. They feel that I would reject their projects. I agree that I can reject the offers as an actor but I am neither a snob nor arrogant. I do only those projects in which I feel satisfied as an actor. In my career I have rejected approximately 200 films but I don't repent it because I feel that I should only do those roles which offer me an opportunity to provide some new stuff to the audiences. In future as well, I would only accept roles which satisfy me as well as the audiences. I am a person who is in love with himself and I love living in a cocoon. That's why people think I am a snob and arrogant. In fact, I am a person who does things in the name of friendship. The latest of such a 'yaarbaazi' is that I jumped twice from an elephant while playing Dhrupad in Mahabharat because the producers are good friends of mine and they wanted a shot in which Dhrupad was required to jump from an elephant. Without giving a second thought I jumped to give a perfect shot for my friends' serial," says the 55-year-old actor.

My son impressed me with his acting With his son Suraj also following in his footsteps, Berry is a proud father. "Suraj will be making his Bollywood debut soon with Ekta Kapoor's film titled The Little Godfather. I was really impressed with his acting skills. After seeing his work, I asked him when he had learned acting and he said that he is a born actor. His reply reminded me of my days as a youngster as I also used to feel that I am a born actor and I don't need to make any special efforts to portray any role," says Berry proudly.

I am happy with my slow career speed Happy with the way his career has shaped, Sudesh says he is a content man. "I have worked with actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn and many more, but I feel that my attitude towards life is that of a tortoise. SRK ran as a rabbit and has achieved huge success but I am happy with what I have today. The makers of Darr wanted to take me for the same role that was played by Shah Rukh Khan but somehow, I did not do the film. I strongly believe in destiny and I feel that only God can plan your life. That's why I take life as it comes," concludes Berry