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On a straight drive

Photo: R.V. Moorthy

Age is just a number Kanwaljeet Singh says tennis keeps him fit and fresh

“I pick a project only if the subject appeals me or the money is too good.” Straightforward is a rare trait in a world where people tend to keep the grease paint on even after pack-up but Kanwaljeet Singh continues to be the odd man out.

Returning to small screen after a long while with Sabki Laadli Bebo on Star Plus, Kanwaljeet says writing decides what will look good on screen. “The problem with television is people love to repeat a successful concept. When I did Saans, extramarital affair became a norm on television. Now something similar is happening with the girl child concept. I was approached by another channel as well for a similar project but I opted for Bebo because it is well-written and the characters are neatly demarcated.”

Rumour mills are abuzz that Kanwaljeet accepted the series because it is close to his personal life. “I have never talked about my personal life in public. Whoever has spread this rumour, I will take him to task. I agree the subject sends a good message to the society, but television serials are all about entertainment and this is also no documentary. I don’t need or want to take any mileage out of the project.”

Going back in time, Kanwaljeet shares he hails from Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh. “I wanted to make my life early. First I wanted to be in Army. I appeared in NDA. At the same time I had a fascination for films. I grew up watching Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand. Dilip Kumar is still my favourite. Among the exams, I wrote one was for Film and Television Institute of India. Fortunately, I cleared it and rushed to Pune. It changed my perception about cinema. My sensibilities took a decisive turn, as I watched the works of Goddard and Felini. I began to analyse cinema.” Here he also met his guru Roshan Taneja. Recently he was at the function, which was organised to celebrate Taneja’s 45 years of teaching acting. “They asked me about my first impression of my guru. I said my first impression was watching him buying vegetables in the market with his wife! He taught me to be a good actor you have to be a good human being first.”But somehow his booming, towering figure and an expressive face could give him a starry appeal in the film industry. “In the journey of life, I don’t like looking in the rear view mirror. I am always happy with the present. Growing up in Saharanpur, I never thought I will reach this far.”

He doesn’t take acting as a job. “I am not one of those who prefer to be busy all the time. After doing a project, I want to go back to my life, my wife (Anuradha Patel) and kids. I love travelling with them. Then I want to spend time with my friends…books.” Reading Amitav Ghosh’s “Sea of Poppies” these days, Kanwaljeet says Nietzsche is his “Bible”.

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