"My best work has been non comic roles"

From selling space in Indian Express to looking after the family business, to acting! It has taken a long way for actor Vrajesh Hirji to reach the peak. Sapana Patil spoke to him on his journey as an actor.

How did acting happen?

I did plays when I was in school and college, which I continued as a hobby even when I was working at Indian Express. Then one day Ravi Baswani saw me and cast me in a serial to be aired on BI TV. But before this serial happened, I was out of a job for six months! I admit it took me a long time to realise that I am wasting my talent doing jobs.

What happened next?

With this serial, I graduated to anchoring Sorry Meri Lorry. I also did plays called All The Best in which I played the deaf man and Uncle Samjha Karo. Then I did an English film called Such a long journey, which was a Canadian production. I did Challenge on Sony, which was a serial on campus life. I played a negative character in this serial, which had Jayati Bhatia, Smita Bansal and Nakul Vaid as my co-stars.

You have acted in a lot films too!

I did Kaho Na Pyar Hai, Rehna Terre Dil Mein, Krishna Cottage, Kucch To Hai, Myjhe Kucch Kehna Hai and Ashique.

Which roles do you like to play, comic or non comic?

I have been noticed for comic roles, but I want to do some intense work. It is good to make people happy while doing comedy. But I would like to make myself happy. My best work has been my non comic roles.

Which has been your best role to date?

My role in the serial made for BI TV, where I played a 72 year old detective has been my best work to date. Unfortunately, it didn't get released. I also treasure a small episodic telefilm that I had done for DD. It was adapted from Premchand's novel Godaan and was directed by Gulzaar.

I was nominated for Star Screen awards 2002 for my serious performance in aStar Best Sellers episode Govind Gansehan. I had to break through to people's memories. It was hard to convince them that I could do roles other than comic ones. Then I did Bhanwar and X Zone.

A scene from 'Such a long journey'

Don't you think that your comic roles are the same?

Every role that I do is different. Humour is just incidental. The mood, the story, the flow is different.

Who is your favourite director?

I had the privilege to work with some of the finest directors like Rakesh Roshan, Satish Kaushik, Indra Kumar, Gulzaar and Sanjeev Bhattacharya.

Who is your favourite actor in comic and non comic roles?

Pankaj Kapoor and Boman Irani.

What's up your sleeve at the moment?

I am doing Bal Bal Bache on Sahara One, The Great Indian Comedy Show on Star One, Power man on Sab TV and Dum Duma Dum on Nickelodeon.

What is it like to anchor a game show?

It's great fun. This game show has families as participants. Children are very smart. One doesn't know how they will react or how they will make us react. This show has added to my skills.

Anything more coming your way?

I am acting as a hotel receptionist in Deepak Tijori's film Khamosh.

Are you playing a comic role in Khamosh?

Watch it to know more!

Picure courtesy: glamsham.com and allmoviephoto.com