In the mood for love-- Mohnish

In the mood for love

You have been missing in action since Vivaah, a match-making reality show that you hosted. Why?

Call it being choosy or finicky, I had decided not to do anything and everything that comes my way. If I had to spend 8 to 12 hours a day on the sets, it has to be worth my while or at least maintain me as an actor. I didn't want to sell myself.

Is that why you kept away from reality shows too?

Reality shows are not my cup of tea, especially certain genres. I am not good at dancing, so if I had participated in a dance show I would have had to put in a lot of time in it, which I didn't have when I was offered one. As for shows like Bigg Boss, I can never be in one place for more than five hours, so how can I be cooped up in a house for days together? Also, I am a family man and love to spend my time with wife and kids. I even take them outdoors when I am shooting. So there's no way I will be a part of these kind of shows.

What prompted you to take up Kuch Toh Log Kahenge?

I liked the story, which is not run-of-the-mill and the role, which suits my age. I play middle-aged Dr Ashutosh who has tremendous problems when it comes to emotional commitment. There's a back-story to him as he is an orphan and the person who took care of him has abandoned him for some reason, which I cannot reveal at this point. Even the girl he had loved has left him. Against this backdrop, he finds himself getting attracted to a girl almost half his age. He starts questioning his sensibilities and his insecurities show up when a younger man comes into the picture.

The serial is about two people and the process of falling in love. I have never played a romantic lead in any of the serials that I have done so far. Plus, it is a mature love story, which is a refreshing concept.

Aren't you playing a doctor again after Sanjeevani and Ek Ladki Anjaani Si?

Yes. However, there's a difference between the two roles in the sense that Sanjeevani was a hospital drama and Shashank, my character, was just one of the leading doctors. Dr Veer of Ek Ladki ... also emphasised my role as a doctor. Whereas Kuch Toh..., is not about the doctor but the person. Having said that, when this role came to me, I consciously decided not to be like Shashank, because people will say that he is doing the same thing. At the same time, I have to retain a little bit of him because people have liked him. It's a double-edged sword, a challenge which I wanted to take up.

Have you seen the Pakistani serial Dhoop Kinarey on which your serial is based?

No. I decided not to watch it because I wanted to interpret the character in my own way and give it a fresh presentation. I am curious to see Dhoop Kinarey, though.

Of the serials you have done so far, which are close to you?

The two major serials that I have done are Sanjeevani and Devi and both had me in diametrically opposite roles. I was a positive character in the hospital drama and in Devi, I was a spoilt brat, a totally negative character who even tried to kill his wife. Interestingly, in the same year I won the Best Actor awards for both the serials, which gave me a hell of a kick.

What are you doing in the John Abraham-starrer Force?

Force is about four cops and how their personal lives get destroyed in the line of duty. I play one of the cops. I am also doing a lovely cameo in Desi Boyz directed by Rohit Dhawan. His father David and I go back a long way. I have acted as the main villain in many of his films including Shola Aur Shabnam. In fact, David's first film as editor was my mother's (Nutan) Saajan Bina Suhagan. So when David called me and said that he wanted me to do a guestappearance in his son's debut directorial venture, I immediately agreed. I play a social service officer in UK who takes away Akshay Kumar's son because he doesn't take care of him. My role is not lengthy but it is important. Besides that, there's Ashim Samanta's untitled film marking the debut of his son Aditya Samanta.

How do you look back on your career?

Well, I started out as a wannabe hero and had six flops to my credit. With Maine Pyar Kiya and Baaghi, I got established as a main young negative actor and on TV, I have got awards as Best actor for both positive and negative roles. So, it's been good.

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