TOI: Out of sight out of mind- Gautam

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Gautam Rode's name might not ring a bell immediately because he is not a face you've seen too much on television, but by the looks of it, this actor with a boy next door appeal has finally hit gold. As someone who was earlier associated with Baa Bahoo Aur Baby and made an episodic appearance in Teri Meri Love Stories, Gautam is now hosting Nach Baliye 5and has been roped in as the male lead in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's soon-to-air Saraswati Chandra. He says, "I need to anchor more shows now." In a friendly chat he talks about getting choosy about his work and more.

Busier days

The long wait was worth it when I got the lead's role in Saraswati Chandra. Rarely do you find a show revolving around a male protagonist! Life has been busy of lateand I'm juggling between shooting, promotions, photo-shoots and anchoring. I am hardly getting enough sleep. It is exhausting, but I am enjoying it.

How it all started

I had once thought of joining my dad in his stock broking business in Delhi, but then I moved to Mumbai. I bagged a few modelling assignments to pay my rent which was followed by certain TVCs. While doing ads, someone from the casting team approached me and I debuted on the small screen. Now I realise that acting is all that I want to do.

Tough times don't last, tough people do

There was a time when I had no money to pay rent. I even used to run away when my landlord would come home to pick up the rent. Once I only had '10 in my wallet and the shopkeeper told me I was falling short of '4 to buy bread. There would be times when a TV project would be finalized — I'd go for auditions, even clear them and still something would go wrong at the last minute! In showbiz, it's not just about whether you fit the role, there's a lot of politics involved in getting a TV show/film. All artists have been through such trying times. Such tough times only make you stronger. It's important not to give up. Today, I'm proud that despite having no godfather or contacts, I've created some space for myself.

Getting selective

I've been very choosy about the kind of work I do. Had I been only thinking of making money without taking into account the project, I'd have been much busier, but it wouldn't have given me creative satisfaction. I kept on doing cameo roles in soaps in order to survive. In showbiz, if you're out of sight, you are out of people's mind too. So it was essential to keep working, but I never did a show that I couldn't associate with.

I, me, myself

When I'm not shooting, I enjoy watching movies and working out. Fitness is important to me. Since Class X, I've been working out and have maintained an athletic physique. This is something you have to enjoy otherwise with bizarre working schedules, your body gets affected.

Love actually

I was in a steady relationship for four years, but I broke up two years back. Now, I don't want to think of a casual relationship. I am single and looking for someone who has similar interests and wants to settle down with me.