Kushal Tandon, who had taken a sabbatical from TV to try his luck with films, is back on TV with Sony's romantic thriller Beyhad. Excerpts from a chat with the actor:

Can you tell us more about your character and the show ?

Arjun is a very ambitious and charming photographer, who has to chose between an obsessive lover (Jennifer Winget), who will give him what he wants and a selfless lover (Aneri Vajani). I hope Beyhad changes the face of Indian TV, for it is elaboratly shot in the seasonal series format of the west. We have a finite story and may come back with Season2, if it does well. We will not drag it unnecessarily just for numbers. We have also gone slow in canning episodes to maintain quality.

 

I am not cut out for Nagin and super natural, but they have their own audience base.

 

We are practical enough to know we will not get 3 or 2.5TVR for we are an urban show, but yes you will get a good show. Also we need to accept that Sony GRPis low, but the channel is on the rise, now at number #3 in the rating sweepstakes.

 

I had signed two films but backed out due to creative issues. I am an A lister on TV, and look for similar billing for cinema as well. My first film has to be great, winning all awards, just as my first TV show (Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai). Also, I was not cut out for erotic thrillers. People wrongly believe that I will be ok with taking of my clothes!! I am looking for that one dream role which will set me on the road.

 

No, I stand by my decisions. After Ek Hazaaron, I opted for reality series (BiggBoss). I suffered an injury in Khatron Ke Khiladi, which took me off the circuit for a while. Then the film stuff happened, so TV break just became that bit longer.

 

No, I give lots of space to my partner. Ditto even if she comes back late as well.

 

In real life I pray that even my worst enemy does not come across someone as Maya (Jennfer in Beyhad ). She is crazy

 

I am ambitious, but not too much. I know what I want and work towards getting it. One thing I have learnt is that I am emotional and trust people easily.

Anil Merani