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Born and brought up in Mumbai, he did his schooling from Campion and graduated from Sydenham. You recently saw a lot of him in Lipstick where he played the inspector who transforms the main protagonist. Of late, he has been in the news for a film called Tilak where he plays a young Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Rehan Engineer's play Sexual Perversity and of course Sony's Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin where he plays Aryaan.

Jack of all, master of none? Well, not really. He has his fingers in too many pies all right, but he is successfully doing a balancing act. Theatre, films, television, he has seen and done it all.

Excerpts from the chat indiantelevision.com's Vickey Lalwani had with Jain:

How did you start off in the entertainment industry?
From childhood, I have been an introvert but not in the traditional sense of the term. Speech and drama were an outlet for me to do things which I could not do otherwise. I did a speech and drama course from Trinity College in London. In college, I was a part of a theatre group which we formed privately. Later, I was a student of the Stardust Academy. Then, I assisted Aziz Mirza during the making of Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman and the Sippys during Pathar Ke Phool. So that's how I got in here.

Surprising. Logically, you should have pursued acting instead of switching to direction?
I wanted to learn every aspect of acting. The ideal thing was to get behind the scenes and see an actor from a director's perspective. Grasp what is required as per the different moods in every frame. Then, I switched over to theatre.

Ok. Then what...
What's wrong with theatre? Nothing can beat the thrill of performing before a live audience. I was always passionate about this medium. I did plays like Mahatma vs Gandhi, Salesman Ramlal, The Legend of Ram, Games People Play, Saare Jahan Se Achcha and many others. Acting in films didn't excite me too much at that point. Even today, I am itching to get into direction (pauses).

Please continue...
However, today, a lot of interesting films are being made. Plus my recent two shows Aandhi and Lipstick have got over. This is the right time for me to take up film assignments. Being a part of a lovely script can be more exciting than the heroic acts or the length of my role. I am mentally prepared to take up diverse roles and am meeting producers and directors in this regard. Ten years down the line, I should look back and feel proud. But of course, I want to remain an integral part of television.

'Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin' has given you the recognition that your other work failed to give?
(Laughs) Yes. There are quite a few reasons for its success. All the characters in Jassi… are well sketched. Nobody tries to outdo the other. We work in a very conducive atmosphere. It is a very satisfying experience.

But are you happy with Indian television? As a man, don't you think it is heavily inclined towards women?
There is a lot of male audience coming in nowadays at least as far as Jassi… is concerned. I know of homes where wives complain that their husband is interested in seeing Jassi… while they want to see another soap on some other channel. This is bound to make the producers and channels think that men need to have meaty roles.

If we have more realistic serials like Jassi…, the day is not far when men will not be standing in the second and third row. As an actor, I wish there is more experimentation in terms of subjects. At the end of the day, what is only being seen is how many eyeballs such and such project attracted. That way, there are some other things which can improve too.

Like what?
Lines are given to actors at a very short notice. I wish that actors could work more on their character. In the end, sometimes acting boils down to sheer memory rather than getting into the skin of the character and portraying emotions. Films are a more concentrated effort. Often, television becomes like an assembly line where a fixed number of pages have to be written and acted out every day. This in turn can cause an actor to stagnate.

How can one avoid that?
Interesting question. An actor should have the guts and conviction to refuse similar kind of roles which he is offered. Plus he should take a break to erase the memories of his past performance. Many Hollywood actors do that. Richard Gere is an example. Al Pacino is another; he disappeared for seven years and came back roaring. They kept working on themselves. Age does not really matter if you are an actor per se. If you are only a star, it's a different thing altogether.

I don't disagree with you, but here in Indian television, there is a lot of insecurity. Actors are thrown out from serials for frivolous reasons. Do you think an actor can afford to take a break?
That is the problem. So, everyone wants to make hay while the sun shines. It's a Catch 22 situation for actors who actually want to take a break and recharge their batteries. If they do it, they may be doomed. If they don't, they are damned.

We hear PR works a lot in the industry?
I don't think so. Buttering people doesn't help. But yes, being seen at the right places and being written about in the media does. Channels, producers and fans read about you, it helps. Every project has many inter-personal relations.

Back to 'Jassi...', if I compare 'Jassi' with 'Kahiin To Hoga' since both were launched around the same time, 'Jassi' hasn't done that well?
You can't compare Sony to Star Plus. But look at the plethora of advertisements it has attracted. 9.30 pm on Indian television means Jassi…. Don't go by day to day or weekly TRPs. I would call it the No.1 show today. What I mean is that it is a very respectable show. People sense a sincerity of effort and the risks being taken. It's a very refreshing sort of feeling.

Do you'll tease Jassi, err, Mona Singh that she has to wear the cumbersome glasses, braces, et al, almost throughout the day?
(Laughs) I bet she is dying to get out of all that paraphernalia. It will happen very soon, which again will be fun because it will be a different phase and new equations will start forming.

How did Mona react to the pictures in the newspaper revealing her real look?
You know, before the photographers had clicked her, she had a strong feeling that she was being followed. She even told us about it, many times. But none of us took her seriously. We thought she was imagining things. All that curiosity about photographers trailing behind actors and celebrities from other spheres happens only in foreign lands. This means that Mona Singh is a star.

The role that you would give your right arm for?
Shah Rukh Khan's role in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. That man is awesome. One more actor I admire is Anil Kapoor. He looks so fresh, enthusiastic and well-maintained.

A typical Bollywood fare. A young boy, all of 20 years, decides to move out of his home in a search of his identity. He lands up in the city of dreams Mumbai. And then begins a struggle, a process to find direction in life till the small screen beckons him. It is a story that the Kyun Hota Hai Pyarrr star Amit Sadh is well versed with because it happens to be his story.

Sadh quit education after standard 12 to pursue his passions- acting and sports. He got his big break in Neena Gupta's Kyun Hota Hai Pyarrr. His debut character Aady made him a star, so much so that even after quitting the serial, people still call him Aady. Fortunately, his cute boy-next-door looks got noticed almost. He is soon going to make a come back on the show in its 100 episode special

At present he busy shooting for Sony's Saasksshi and Sahara's comedy Zaroorat Hai that's besides enjoying his other passion- adventure sports.

Excerpts from the tete-e-tete that transpired between him and indiantelevision.com's Sabiha Sehnaz:

When did you realise that you want to become an actor? And after you announced your decision, did your family approve of it?
I never thought of taking up acting as a career because no one in my family has been an actor.

Basically, it has to do with my temperament. I used to be in a theater group, when I when was in Delhi. But it wasn't as if I was concentrating only on acting, I was keen on rock climbing as well. One fine day, I just thought that I should come to Mumbai and try my hand at acting.

The reason why my family didn't try to oppose me is because they know I am a headstrong guy. If I have decided on something, I will do it, come what may.

Do you have any formal training in acting?
I did an acting course from Kishore Namit Kapoor's institute, when I came to Mumbai.

How did 'Kyun Hota Hai Pyarrr' happen? Was it your first assignment?
I was called in to audition for a small character in the serial. My audition went off well and when the production guys saw my performance they offered me the lead role.

How was the experience of working with Neena Gupta? Was she a tough task master? How was the team that you worked with like?
She (Neena Gupta) is an awesome producer. Both she and Anupam Kalidhar, the producers of the show are very nice people. Why else would I plan to go back?

I share a very good rapport with her, ditto with Anupam. People might think that I am try to butter them, but I am not. I am a genuine person and I don't believe in doing PR.

Are you trying to tell me that PR doesn't work?
No. Don't get me wrong. I think one needs to use their PR skills, but for a genuine cause.

I don't believe in humouring people for your own devious means and neither can I get along with people who do that.

Any serial is a team effort, right. So tell me how do you deal with other members?
We work as a family. In Saaksshi, all the five lead actors have separate rest rooms, yet we always remain in one room. Just like a family, we eat together, party together and even fight. Be it either Sameer Soni or Deepak Jaitly we are like a family. I had a friendly unit even at Aawaaz or Kyun Hota Hai Pyarrr.

How difficult/easy was it to play Aady? How much do you resemble Aady in real life? When did you realise that your character is working?
I think playing Aady was very easy, he was just so much like me. Usually an actor has to put in a lot of effort and hard work, I did that for other roles but not for Aady.

I realised how much people appreciated my performance, when I started getting calls. In fact most of them thought I was just like Aady. Even my friends started calling me Aady...

You left the 'Kyun Hota Hai Pyarrr' after an accident, right. How did the audience react when you were replaced?
I loved stunts. So for a shot when I had to ride a bike, I was more then happy. But on that unfortunate day, I fell from the bike and broke my hand. I had to call it quits then.

I don't think that the audience were happy about it. Till date, people ask me why I left the show. I used to joke that the producers kicked me out because I wasn't good enough. The people used to say that it was impossible since I was so good.

But I think I am lucky, because usually if you are out of sight, you are out of mind. Never happened with me.

It feels nice to receive such adulation, which is why even after a year long break I am coming back in the show.

But won't audience find it a bit jarring to see you in the same role again?
The audience wants me back and that is why they are getting me back. I am sure they won't find it difficult accepting me in the role.

Will there be a change in the story line, considering that Aady's track in the story had almost been terminated? What happens to Aady and Niki's love story? Who will be paired opposite you? Will Rewa Bubber also join the cast?
As far as I know, I don't think there will be any changes in the storyline. I am just going to make a comeback and as the same ole' Aady. The story continues just the way it has been.

I don't know about Rewa, though. I don't know if they are reviving Niki's character.

How does the industry treat the new comers? Is it a hard route that people have to take? Do you need a godfather to make it?
I came to the industry two years ago. The industry to me was awesome, I don't know about others. When I first came to Mumbai I knew nobody, but now I know everyone. I get a call almost for every television show, be it for any channel. It is another story that I am consciously trying to cut down on serials. I am planning to make a foray on to big screen.

But as far as I concerned I had a very good rapport with the industry. It is like a family to me now.

I am a very professional actor- disciplined and hardworking. I have a viewership and that why I get offers. You don't need a godfather, at least I didn't. But one needs to learn from senior actors.

Do roles come easily to new comers?
Nothing comes easy in life! Initially, I was called for a small role in Kyun Hota... but after my screen test they offered me the lead role instead. While it didn't make a difference to me then, I thought of it as just a job. But the really dawned on me only when I saw the television promos and outdoor posters. And after six months, when I got the response from the public I realised how is feels to be in a lead role.

I think is sheer good luck that Star Plus spotted my talent. But I did work hard for it.

When you entered the industry, as a new comer how was the experience?
Initially people thought I was an idiot. Even the people working me thought of me as a nut as I used to be extremely serious while I was working. But I think that attitude has paid off.

But yes, the initial two-three months were quite difficult and after that my work spoke for me.

How are the working hours for the new comers? Are they made to work more than the established actors? What about the payment?
What ever amount I am earning in a day now, used to be my months salary then. But one can't really complain about it. If a hire a person to work at my house, I try him out and only then will increase his pay.

Similarly, you can't demand an amount when you are new. But today I can.

Tell me something about your other shows, 'Awaaz', 'Saaksshi' and 'Koi Dil Main Hain'? What is the feedback that you have received for these shows, especially for 'Koi…' where your character has shades of grey?
The character in Awaaz has been the most amazing character I played till date. The kind of hard work and effort I put in that character, I had never did it for any other show. For four months I grew my beard and mustache, I had become dark shooting under the sun.

I think no one can get such a role even in films. I am very content and happy with the portrayal of the character. I also received many compliments for the role. I even got calls from countries like Dubai, UK, Dublin, Ireland. It did well in India as well, but I think people watches more of Star TV than Zee.

I don't really care about the TRP of the serial. I have a practical approach, what I normally think is if the producer has signed me for X number of days. He is paying me some amount. I think I should honour my contract. That is my main concern.

Saaksshi is going on air right now and I have high expectations from the serial. I have got very good response, till now. We are a team of five people in all. My character is different and unique from the rest. He is aggressive, savvy and funny too.

As for Koi Dil..., I left the show because I was not happy with the way my character was shaping up. I gave them 18 -19 episode for three four months, hoping something will happen but nothing happened. They didn't make anything out of it so I quit that show. And I told Balaji that I don't want to do any other show with them in the future.

Oh oh! But how did you get into Balaji? How different was it from working with Neena Gupta's Taurus?
I had been receiving calls from Balaji for the last two years. Sometime back, I did Kya Haadsa Kya Haqeeqat but that was just for a short period of 18-19 episodes.

She did call me for Kahaani..., Kyunki.... and Kasautii... as well, but somehow I am not too keen on soaps. I did accept Koi Dil... because it was different. I gave them good dates for three-four months, hoping something will happen but nothing did.

I don't mean that they have been a bad production house, but their working conditions, work etiquette's have not been good. I couldn't cope with it. So I quit and I don't wanna work with them anymore.

So no Ekta Kapoor anymore?
No I am not going to work with her anymore. Never.

But Balaji is known name in television. All the serial of Balaji are getting high ratings….
If you are a good actor everyone is keen to signs you. Ekta Kapoor is a visionary person. She is workaholic. I like her as a producer but unfortunately the Koi .. team was very unprofessional, something that I couldn't handle. What ever was told to me about my role even that didn't happen. I conveyed my disappointment but nobody paid attention so I needed to move out.

I heard that you were not fluent with Hindi when you made your television debut....
Yes. Initially, I did have problem with the language but that was before I join television. I worked hard to improve my Hindi and I was successful. I read a lot of Hindi novels, school text books and did every other thing to improve my Hindi.

When ever I used to visit home (at Delhi), I used to pursue my favourite hobbies - rock climbing, mountaineering and dramatics. During one such vacation, a theater group was organising plays, I w asked them for a role. While they did entertain me but they made fun of my poor Hindi. That incident changed me a lot.

Now you have a comedy 'Zaroorat Hai' for Sahara on your plate. How is it working in a comedy? Do actors have to work harder for it? I have heard somewhere that not everybody can do a comedy… you have to be born with a comic timing.
In Zaroorat Hai, I am playing Farida Jalal's son. I am one amongst her five sons and she is forever keen on getting us married. It's a comedy with lot of masti.

Interestingly, Saaksshi's producer wanted me to do the role. He even managed my dates! The role was exciting and I got lured by the idea of doing comedy.

Since I am planning to do films next years, I thought it would be good idea to try my hand at comedy.

Everyone around me thinks that I have a good comic timing. It's a good time to check how well I can do.

How important is the director or the production house in your opinion? What do you look into a project before signing?
For me the most important thing is the producer. If the producer is good than you won't face any problem. But I think, for an actor, the director should be the most important. I have worked with the best and the biggest directors of television.

It is a technical medium and they are the most important players. But unfortunately, they don't get noticed much. If a director is good at his work only then he can get good performance out of the actor. If the cameraman does good lighting than only you will look good. We actors get the attention because we are in front of the camera.

As a rule, before signing any project I see the role- its dimensions, whether it challenging or not. I don't care much about e money.

What else? Any other serials? Or is it a smooth switch over to films now.
Just that Zaroorat hai is launching on Sahara from 25 June. I don't want to talk about movies right now because I haven't signed any. So I have my fingers are crossed.

Do you think people have a block when it comes to switch over from small screen to big? Barring the exception of Sharukh Khan, most of the recent entrants have bombed badly; people haven't really accepted them as the heroes (Amar Upadhya or a Rohit Roy or a Rahul Bhatt). Even the character artistes like Ashutosh Rana, Irrfan Khan have select takers. How do you think you will fare in such a circumstances? And in case films click, are you planning to call it quit from the small screen?
I don't care. I know that I will be in movies one day and I will make it happen, no matter what.

I have never felt insecure. I am ambitious, want to become something. And I don't have any alternatives either.

Let's talk about your other hobbies, your passion, adventure sports, what's happening in that front?
Besides adventure sports and rock climbing, I love biking too. I am planning to ride a bike from Mumbai to Siachan glacier soon.

Who are your favourite directors, actors, movies, serials?
My favourite Hollywood actors are Al Pacino, Meg Ryan and Julia Robert. Amongst India actors my favourite are Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamala Hassan, Dimple Kapadia and Kajol.

I like John Woo's films.

My favourite movie is Scar Face starring Al Pacino, in Hindi I liked Dil Se, Munna Bhai, Hum Tum, Yuva and Kal Ho Na Ho. But my all time favourite movies are Pushpak and Ek Duje Ke Liye.

Anyone specific you want to work for?
Beggars can't be choosers.

He chats with the sultry Negar Khan, in a discotheque, as Amol Palekar's famous screen characters Lakshman Prasad Sharma and Ram Prasad Sharma. While chatting with Gurdas Mann, in a dhaba, he is Navjot Singh Siddhu. With Mandira Bedi, he chatted up as Krishnamachari Srikkanth.

With Abhishek Bachchan, he was the sports coach in a park, and while rendezvous with Farah Khan he was dressed up as principal in a class room. The 'Pillai' character that he portrayed - about the man who always lands up at the wrong place at the wrong time - has become a household name. That's the interview specialist funny man Suresh Menon (Star Giraftar, etc Supermard, etc Haseena ) for you.

"I know and love to make people laugh and will continue to do so," he says.

His other shows include Pandey Pillai (musical comedy), Meri Jaan Hindustan (musical travelogue). Menon has also done many ads and worked in films like Ashoka, Doli Saja Ke Rakhna, Dil To Pagal Hai, Badhai Ho Badhai and Masti among others.

Excerpts from a chat with indiantelevision.com's Vickey Lalwani:

How did you start your career in the entertainment industry?
Just like any star-struck youngster would, I started out by trying out my for films in 1993. I went to Dev Anand's Navketan office and gave him my pictures. I waited patiently for three long months, but nothing happened. Then, I devised a trick to promote myself. I called up bigwigs, including the likes of Yash Chopra, introducing myself as an advertising agency professional. I then asked them if they are interested in casting a hero for their next project. I use to fix up appointments with them under pretext of showing them portfolios of wannabe actors. I used to go with just three portfolios - those of myself and two friends. They soon caught my game (chuckles).

So, it was a tough struggle at first…
(Interrupts) You can say that again.

When did the struggle end?
My luck began to improve, later that year, when Zee and other satellite channels were launched. Due to the huge channel spurt, almost everyone got work. Today, the scenario isn't as different. No actor can remain unemployed for a long time; there are many channels and shows and many other media-related opportunities (pauses).

Which was your first major break?
It was Main Bhi Detective on Zee TV and then came Shanti and Sorry Meri Lorry.

And then followed films, right?
(Smiles sheepishly) Yeah! I always wanted to become a hero. I used to keep long hair and wanted to be as famous as Amitabh Bachchan.

I had realised that comedy was my forte; I could make people laugh. When I heard that Priyadarshan was in town, I called up Good Knight Productions but they did not take me seriously initially. Later on, they called to ask me if I was only keen on hero roles. I said, 'Koi bhi role chalega' (anything will do). They asked me to go and meet Javed Akhtar for Kabhi Na Kabhi. Akhtar saab looked at me and said that I was doing the role. Unfortunately, I could not carve my niche in the films. But, I guess, everything happens for the best and in its own time.

In '99, etc happened.

You have quite a quirky method of interviewing people, what with the famous get ups and all. How were these ideas conceived?
It was my brainchild. 'Hi, this is Shah Rukh Khan, blah, blah, blah' has been done to death. I decided that I should play characters.

I dressed up as a principal when I interviewed Farah Khan, for heard that she treated her actors like students. I became a 'bhai' when I interviewed SRK and told him that he had disturbed my business by saying 'main hoon NA It works, actors laugh and loosen up. It all started with Amitabh Bachchan when I dressed up as Pillai and he could not refrain laughing when he saw me. The ice was broken and the conversation became easier.

Actually, I had done that to hide from Bachchan. That man can look into your eyes and make you melt (pauses).

Go on…
Recently, I even became Simi Garewal, Krishnamachari Srikkanth and Navjot Singh Sidhu. Srikkanth has been an old favourite. He was better to portray than Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara. He did not take his cricket seriously. But till date, I have not seen any batsman hitting the ball as hard as him.

Have all actors liked the concept such thematic interviews?
Only Fardeen Khan didn't seem to appreciate. He asked me to take off the moustache and wig. I initially asked my crew if we could pack up. I felt terribly hurt. Even I have an ego. You may be Fardeen Khan, but even I am not a non-entity. I went on to remove the make-up and things settled down, but the interview thereafter was very boring. Fardeen's interview was the most boring interview I have done so far

Who does your make-up?
There is a guy at etc Arun Gere. He works on my entire look.

You even dressed as Simi Garewal. How did it feel to dress like a woman?
(Laughs). A lot of work goes into the making of a woman, much more than what goes in the making of a male celebrity. During childhood, I used to throw a tantrum if someone applied a lipstick on me. Today, I am doing it passionately for my profession (laughs). Strange are the ways of life!

You imitate a lot of celebrities. How can you imitate people? How much do you practice?
Imitating people is a natural art. It cannot be practiced. Although, you need an eye for observation. If you have a knack of imitating someone, you can certainly better it. But if you don't have it, you cannot generate it. That does not mean I can imitate everybody.

Like for one, I cannot imitate Bachchan, Sunny Deol, Jeetendra. This is where my characterisation concept helps. You need not sound exactly like Bachchan to do a spoof on him.

Have people called you and said that why are you imitating them? Has anybody felt offended?
Not yet. Just once, SRK asked jokingly, 'Tu mere ko imitate karta hai?' I just replied, 'Shah Rukh, imitation is the best form of flattery." He smiled. Actors take it in their stride. They have learnt to laugh at themselves.

Have you imitated Balasaheb Thackeray?
No. But I believe he has a very good sense of humour. A man who made cartoons has to be a funny man at heart.

Then why haven't you imitated him? You just said that 'imitation is the best form of flattery'.
There is a very thin line here. What if I cross that? Surely, I don't want some Shiv Sainiks throwing stones at my house. Somehow, I have kept away from the political arena. I think most politicians do not know how to laugh at themselves.

Getting slightly specific. On a 1-10 scale, how do you rate the Indian sense of humour?
Two!

Sad but true. For instance, if I crack jokes about Malyalees in Kerala, I would be booed. Indians are too sensitive. They take too much interest in insignificant things. I do not know whether to laugh or cry when some so-called righteous women protest against Mallika Sherawat's show of skin. Have these same women botherd to clothe the poor people on the roads? Our priorities are so wrong. Even if we feel correctly, we don't voice it right.

PRO-FILE

Give your vocal chords some rest. Kick off those dancing shoes. It's time to laugh your way to stardom. The Great Indian Laughter Challenge, the new talent hunt on STAR One, is all about the search for fresh comic talent to help churn out television software aplenty.

"We have an 11 pm show every night called The Great Indian Comedy Show," says Ravi Menon, head of programming of STAR One. "We suddenly realised that apart from the likes of Javed Jaffery, Sajid Khan and Shekhar Suman we were struggling to find comic talent for our daily programme. So the show resulted from our actual need. We, of course, made sure that this process of scouting talent and creating a bank of comedians was made hugely entertaining."

So the phone lines were thrown open for all those who wanted to make people laugh. More than 200,000 calls came in, from Bengal to Bareilly, Kerala to Kolapur. And 50 were shortlisted to flaunt their funny bone in front of the two judges, Shekhar Suman and Navjyot Singh Sidhu, with the pretty Perizaad Kolah as the host.

While Sidhuisms on the show will be as regular as Sourav's low scores, the spotlight will be on raw talent during the hour-long programme. The Sherryspeak for The Great Indian Laughter Challenge: "Comedy kuyein ki tarah hai — har kuyein ka pani ka swad alag hota hai."

But the star attraction of the show will be the funniest of them all, Johnny Lever, who will walk in as a guest in one of the final episodes.

"Stand-up comedy has never been encouraged here in India before," Lever tells Metro. "In the US, stand-up comedy is a rage. It is so different from film comedy, from the comedy that happens in front of the camera. It's really encouraging that something like this is happening on Indian television."

For Lever, the key lies in observation. "To be a good stand-up comedian, you have to watch others very closely, their actions, their body language," he says. "Comedy can happen out of mimicry, out of different languages, even out of sound effects. But the toughest thing is to be original. You have to start creating funny items after you have finished copying other comedians."

For the winner of The Great Indian Laughter Challenge, to be called Laughter King, STAR One is planning a separate comedy show. "I think more than monetary prizes, this kind of exposure for someone from, say, a small town is much more worthwhile. Not only the winner, we are also planning to use the final 10 contestants in our shows," says Menon.

The small-screen laugh riot premieres on Friday on STAR One at 10 pm. Keep laughing.