I have been choosy says Ashutosh Rana in Hindustan times

From television to films — the list of actors in this category is endless but not many have actually made it big the way Shah Rukh Khan has. The noteworthy ones include Manoj Bajpai, Gracy Singh and Bhagyashree. There is another name that figures on the list —Ashutosh Rana. He started with negative roles — director Tanuja Chandra cast him as a rapist in Dushman and an evil child murderer in Sangharsh. Then he played a eunuch MLA in Yogesh Bharadwaj’s Shabnam Mausi. However, the talented actor, who rose to fame post Swabhimaan on DD, is still to cement his ground in the industry. “I have always been choosy. I have done only 30 films in 13-14 years,” says Rana whose film Awarapan released this Friday, co-starring Emraan Hashmi. His last Hindi release was Suri’s Kalyug in December 2005. Why the gap?“I did two projects in Telugu and Kannada, which got great response,” defends Rana. Secondly, he had to lose weight after Shabnam Mausi, hence the break. But it’s not his comeback film, he insists, and says, “I was very much there.” In Awarapan too, he is the bad man, but adds, “He is a negative character yet he is humane. I am trying to redefine the concept of bad guys in Hindi films.” Swabhimaan co-star Manoj Bajpayi had said earlier that actors like Rana and himself do not get their due thanks to the star system. Does he agree? “I have my audience and critics who have appreciated my work,” says Rana. On the star system, he says, “I would like my sons to join films. Ultimately, one has to prove himself. But, yes, we may not get another film after three-four flops, which they can.” Coming up are Suhail Tatari’s, Summer of 2007, Raj Sippy’s Hamilton Palace and a couple of others. So Rana is fit and fine? “Actors have glory on one hand and insecurity on the other. I am not insecure so I sat at home without glory. If nothing substantial comes my way I am not game,” he concludes.

Courtesy:Hindustan Times