JOIN USI am an actor completely by default,” said Anuj Saxena who became a popular face with television show Kkusum and is still remembered through the serial. Currently shooting in Delhi for the upcoming film Paranthe Wali Gali, Anuj shares about his acting, producing and entrepreneurial aspect of life with Metrolife.
Anuj wanted to follow his father’s footsteps and be a doctor. “Whether it was modelling or acting, it all started for fun. I was a south Bombay boy who looked at this profession as a down market thing.” But two years down the lane after Kkusum happened, he started experimenting with his acting potential.
“Kkusum was a show that ran for five years. The good or bad part about it is that it got over eight years ago but still people connect me with it,” says Anuj while recollecting a recent incident at a friend’s wedding where people recognised him through the serial.
Even after gaining popularity through television, he switched off from the mode. “At that point, it was the right decision to make. I was saturated and tired doing daily shows and had to develop my pharmaceutical business. So there were a number of reasons but I don’t regret the decision I made then.”
Keeping away from limelight was no big deal for this doctor turned actor. But everytime he decided to go away from acting, it happened the other way round and while many kept struggling, he moved on to become a producer. “I am still an actor, I have just expanded my portfolio. The ability to produce came from the business side of my family. Though I lost in the films that I made (Aloo Chaat and Chase) but I hope to earn the double in future through God’s grace,” he says while fiddling with his laptop for an impending conference.
Its a piece of cake for him to switch from being an actor to a businessman. “I have kind of perfected the art by now. The minute the director says cut, I start taking my business calls and attending my production house and get back to the actor mode when camera starts rolling.” All it takes to accomplish is time management and technology that enables him to multi-task.
“Thanks to internet due to which business doesn’t suffer even if I am in remote corners of the world,” he says as he gets up to leave for gym. But haults to narrate the shooting experience, “In the opening scene today, I was eating paranthas. My diet has gone for a toss. My designer threats me to eat any more but the director demands the opposite. So there is continuous tug of war and I don’t know what to do,” he laughs helplessly.