Face 2 Face: Mihir Mishra

With the kind of response he gives, he has the makings of a very successful diplomat. But there's no tempting this Delhi boy who's earlier featured in Asha Bhosle's music video Jab Saamne Tum Aa Jaate Ho and Pankaj Udhas' ghazal Chandi Jaisa Rang Hai Tera.

However, one must give credit to him for doing a fine job in Sanjivani. Changing stars midway is risky business. But such has been the smooth transition that some casual viewers have not even noticed that Mihir is a replacement. Some of the credit goes to the director but most of it must go to the star.

And going by the performance he has received for Sanjivani, this real life hotel management graduate has a long innings ahead on TV.

Is your personality similar to "Dr. Rahul" (of Sanjeevani- The Medical Boon) in real life, i.e., can you identify with the character in any way?
My personality is not exactly the same as "Dr. Rahul" but the only way I identify with him is that I am as patient, as he was, and his good looks.

Are we likely to see exciting events to take place in Sanjeevani with the character "Dr. Rahul"?
I wish I could fulfill that wish ... Sanjeevani is off air.

Do you plan to work with your wife in any serial?
Well, I am definitely looking forward to that opportunity, but as of now, we would be seen on a new show called Naach Baliya (a reality dance show).

Is there a character that you and your wife like to play in particular?
I would love to play the role of McKay Rurke in Sin City and my wife would love to play Tumredare... if I know her well.

Describe your role in the new serial Hare Kaanch Ki Chudiya ..?
Well, it's of a character that is very complicated. A man who is fighting issues which are personal and surround his house. It's a complicated intense character, which has not been played on TV.

Hare Kkaanch Ki Choodiyan focuses on women's view on marriage, whether it is about the bonding or is just a bond that they cannot get out of. What is your take on this?
Well, I think it's about people who come from different walks of life and how they try to blend with each others' lives, and take responsibility for each other.

Your character in Hare Kaanch Ki Choodiyan is different from your personality in real. How ?
Well, for starters my character in Hare Kaach Ki Choodiya is impotent and I am not. So, that's one big difference.

How has life changed after marriage and after becoming a father?
Life has become much more wonderful and I would say, for 30 years of my life, I have missed out something which finally I achieved. In short, fatherhood and marriage is wonderful.

How do you manage your hectic life, i.e., juggling the time between your TV shows.
Well, I have made a strict regime where I don't work on Sundays, and the reason being, I try to spend as much time with my daughter and the rest of the six days, I have dedicated to my fans.

Do you want to do any movies or are you happy with the small screen?
I am very happy with the small screen. But I definitely want to do movies, when the time is right.

How will you rate your performance? In which serial, according to you, has your performance been the best?
Well, if the scale was 1-10, and 10 being the best, I am at 4 3/4. Well I think Sanjeevni was one of my great performances and Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (The character was "Aditya") was one of my good performances because that was the first time when I did comedy.

What was your first role and how did you get it?
My first role was from the serial Sanjeevni, and I got it with a very big stroke of luck.

What according to you has motivated you the most to take up acting as a career?
I think, it's the ability to take away the problems from people's life and entertaining them.

Tell us about the new serial Nach Baliye?
It's a dance competition among ten famous real (life) couples on TV.

From the roles that you are doing, is any one of them your dream role or are you still waiting to get such a role?
Still waiting to get my dream role.

Do you think it is a very tough competition or it is easy growth in the industry, and how has it been for you?
I won't say the competition is tough. I think the competition is healthy and till date the industry has been very kind to me.

What sort of portrayals do you personally prefer to do?
Well, something that is challenging and something that in my wildest dreams I wouldn't probably think of doing.

Tell us about the off screen Mihir Mishra?
A gentleman.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to take up acting as a career?
Well, my first advice would be to be sure that this is what you want to do. And it is very important to have the passion and the patience to become an actor.