<p>"This small screen ('24') was bigger than the big screen that I have done in India. It was bigger than the biggest that I've ever done," Anil, who played a game show host in "Slumdog Millionaire" that fetched him international visibility, told IANS in a telephonic interview from Mumbai.<br /><br />"For example, the scale of every episode was bigger than any of the films I've done in the past. The entire series is worth $125-150 million. I've never done such a big show in my career. It was totally very special," added the 50-year-old.<br /><br />Based in New York (shot in Los Angeles), the around-$150 million "24" is an action-drama series starring Kiefer Sutherland in the lead as special agent Jack Bauer. The show is presented in the semblance of real time, with each 24-episode season covering 24 hours in the life of Bauer. This is the eighth and final season of the show.<br /><br />Anil plays Omar Hassan, president of a fictional Islamic Republic of Kamistan (IRK), who visits the US on a peace mission to meet the US president.<br /><br />"I am definitely the first mainstream star from India to have this kind of job opportunity on television there," he said. "There is a threat to my life and the story begins from there. I play one of the most pivotal leads of the show. I am there in most of the series."<br />The series premieres Monday in India on AXN. This is the first time "24" will be aired here. It will be shown Monday to Thursday.<br /><br />So how long was he in the US for the show?<br />"I was there (LA) for six months. Basically I was coming and going. I was also shooting a film 'No Problem' in India and South Africa. So in between I shot two schedules of the film too," he said.<br /><br />And how was his international experience?<br />"The experience has been very enriching and educative - something which I've never had. It was wonderful and creatively very uplifting. It has given me tremendous exposure. Never in my 30-year career have I got this kind of appreciation.<br /><br />"It was almost as if I was some kind of ambassador from India and had made a difference to their lives. I was so overwhelmed. I think it went beyond professional respect," he said.<br /><br />Anil doesn't shy away from conceding too that "it was all because of 'Slumdog Millionaire' ".<br />Rumours are rife that he is keen to move on from the "Slumdog Millionaire" success.<br />Asked about it, he said: "You always have to attach and detach and that is the only way you can create more. I don't get attached to it and start living in past glory. I don't want to do that. I just want to move on and look at the future rather than looking at the past."<br /><br />Has Bollywood taken a backseat?<br />"No. I can't forget my roots. I am what I am because of that. I have moved on and I'll do that also but I'll keep on doing this," he said.<br /><br />He is now waiting to know the reaction of his Indian fans to his transition.<br /><br />"There is no transition, because for me it was from big to bigger. But I am curious and anxious to know their reactions. I am waiting," he said.<br /><br />Anil's future projects include sequels to "Race", "No Entry", "Mr. India" and he may star in Priyadarshan's action movie.<br /><br />He is also in talks with Sophia Loren's son, Ben Stiller and Fox Television.</p>
<p>"This small screen ('24') was bigger than the big screen that I have done in India. It was bigger than the biggest that I've ever done," Anil, who played a game show host in "Slumdog Millionaire" that fetched him international visibility, told IANS in a telephonic interview from Mumbai.<br /><br />"For example, the scale of every episode was bigger than any of the films I've done in the past. The entire series is worth $125-150 million. I've never done such a big show in my career. It was totally very special," added the 50-year-old.<br /><br />Based in New York (shot in Los Angeles), the around-$150 million "24" is an action-drama series starring Kiefer Sutherland in the lead as special agent Jack Bauer. The show is presented in the semblance of real time, with each 24-episode season covering 24 hours in the life of Bauer. This is the eighth and final season of the show.<br /><br />Anil plays Omar Hassan, president of a fictional Islamic Republic of Kamistan (IRK), who visits the US on a peace mission to meet the US president.<br /><br />"I am definitely the first mainstream star from India to have this kind of job opportunity on television there," he said. "There is a threat to my life and the story begins from there. I play one of the most pivotal leads of the show. I am there in most of the series."<br />The series premieres Monday in India on AXN. This is the first time "24" will be aired here. It will be shown Monday to Thursday.<br /><br />So how long was he in the US for the show?<br />"I was there (LA) for six months. Basically I was coming and going. I was also shooting a film 'No Problem' in India and South Africa. So in between I shot two schedules of the film too," he said.<br /><br />And how was his international experience?<br />"The experience has been very enriching and educative - something which I've never had. It was wonderful and creatively very uplifting. It has given me tremendous exposure. Never in my 30-year career have I got this kind of appreciation.<br /><br />"It was almost as if I was some kind of ambassador from India and had made a difference to their lives. I was so overwhelmed. I think it went beyond professional respect," he said.<br /><br />Anil doesn't shy away from conceding too that "it was all because of 'Slumdog Millionaire' ".<br />Rumours are rife that he is keen to move on from the "Slumdog Millionaire" success.<br />Asked about it, he said: "You always have to attach and detach and that is the only way you can create more. I don't get attached to it and start living in past glory. I don't want to do that. I just want to move on and look at the future rather than looking at the past."<br /><br />Has Bollywood taken a backseat?<br />"No. I can't forget my roots. I am what I am because of that. I have moved on and I'll do that also but I'll keep on doing this," he said.<br /><br />He is now waiting to know the reaction of his Indian fans to his transition.<br /><br />"There is no transition, because for me it was from big to bigger. But I am curious and anxious to know their reactions. I am waiting," he said.<br /><br />Anil's future projects include sequels to "Race", "No Entry", "Mr. India" and he may star in Priyadarshan's action movie.<br /><br />He is also in talks with Sophia Loren's son, Ben Stiller and Fox Television.</p>