I have not encountered the casting couch: Anuj Sawhney

From being referred to as ‘that guy’ in ‘Naina’ opposite Urmila Matondkar, actor Anuj Sawhney is suddenly (in) famous as ‘the guy who kissed Sushmita Sen’ in ‘Chingari’. Playing the sensitive postman in ‘Chingari’ he tries to balm Sen’s (she plays a prostitute) pain in this Kalpana Lajmi film.

The Delhi boy says that he has never felt like an outsider in the industry, “I have been lucky. I came from Delhi and work fell into my lap. I had heard about the casting couch. But I have not had any such experience. It’s the way you conduct yourself.”

Sawhney is focussed, “I have a notion of how I want to perceive myself five years from now. I will not compromise on that.” Anuj underlines the qualities for success, “Patience is important. In desperation, I will not grab whatever comes my way. That will spell doom.”

He continues, “It’s important to hone your acting skills. You have to be a good dancer and fighter. Also you need to have good PR skills. After that if you have it in you will survive. Otherwise, you will be one of those guys, whom people recognise when you walk into a restaurant. But the buck will stop there.”

The married actor and father is aware of the occupational hazards of being a Bollywood boy - link-ups and scandals. How will he deal with it? “I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. I know people will write.  This is showbiz.” So, has he escaped link-ups so far? “No, there have been stray stories.” How then does his wife react to such rumours? “No comments. I want to keep my family away from this. I respect my privacy.”

With a roster of films up for release, is he vying for the top slot? “That’s what we all vie for. Pahunchuga ki nahin, pata nahin. But you set a benchmark for yourself. So that when you look back after 20 years, you can say that I did try. I gave it all I had.”

r_faheem@dnaindia.net