While Saigal maintains that it's too early to talk about his character considering he's not yet had a formal meeting with Kapoor, what he confir ms is "if everything falls in place and my dates are worked out, I'd definitely be part of the next gen-leap. I can never say 'no' to Ekta, can I?" While it isn't new for Balaji actors to claim complete loyalty to their mentor Saigal has reasons for his. "I had done a couple of films and modelling before I was cast as Ansh Gujral. But my stint in Kyunki... changed everything. Suddenly, I was a known name. The show undeniably has given me a lot of name, fame and money. Ekta also launched me in the show with a lot of care and my 'death' scene is still talked about."
In his trademark, auburn tresses minus the blue lens "which was Ekta's contribution to my character of Ansh", the actor says though he did Kkusum and Time Bomb "I am still remembered for my bad guy in Kyunki..." While he waits for things to materialise on the show front, the actor has gone ahead and started shooting for his debut directorial venture, which he's written too. "In fact I am associated with my film in almost all the departments as being my first film I can't afford to hire big names and since I know I can do it, I'm doing it," he says with a lopsided smile.
Lotus Dreams, he says, has three stories coming to an end with kids forming an important part of the film. "The film is 75 per cent complete and the idea behind this film is that when you dream something, it always comes with some responsibilities. It will be entertaining and educating. There are some things, which can't be told straight. They have to be turned around."
Saigal says he's taken up direction "not because I want to be famous, but because direction means looking at the larger picture. It's stressful but it's addictive as well." His film features lesser-known TV and film names. Why isn't he acting in it? "May be I'd make an Alfred Hitchcockesque appearance."
Till the film releases, couch potatoes could wait with
bated breath to see Ansh Gujral rise from the ashes, albeit in a different avatar.
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