Actor Jay Bhanushali does not mind playing small roles if they are effective, as he wants to follow the footsteps of "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" star Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who began his career with minuscule characters and has now made it big in Bollywood.
The 30-year-old "Ek Paheli Leela" actor said right now, he wants to concentrate on his performances than the length of his roles.
"As an actor, I look up to Nawazuddin Siddiqui. He started his career with some really small roles. In 'Jungle' he just had a reaction shot and there was no dialogue. In New York, Munna Bhai MBBS he had a small part.
But even in those small scenes he gave his best and people noticed his talent. And that's what even I am doing. I don't mind doing such kind of films but at the end I want the roles to be strong where I can show my acting capabilities," Jay told PTI.
He made his bollywood debut with "Hate Story 2" last year and followed it with Sunny Leone-starrer "Leela" but the actor wants to evade the stereotype of an "erotic" hero by doing variety of roles.
"'Hate story 2' was an erotic film but in 'Ek Paheli Leela' I had no kissing scenes and I was playing a different character. In my first film, I was an erotic hero, in Desi Kattey I was a gangster, in the third film I was an anti-hero. I have been trying to do different kind of cinema and not get stereotyped."
Jay, who is loved for his hosting on the dance reality show "Dance India Dance", said he was a "horrible" anchor when he began hosting season one.
He is currently hosting the season five.
"I have changed a lot over the years. Initially I was a horrible anchor. I still can't see my 'Dance India Dance' season one episodes. But it's a learning process. Everyday I was learning something new. Season one was the first time I was speaking to the camera as an anchor.
"I am thankful the audience has liked me over the years. People came, people performed and the went. The only two things constant on the show are me and Mithun da. So when people know the show by my name, it is a huge compliment for me."
Jay said he had doubts regarding the shows success when he was signing it, unaware how big it would become in the future.
"I am very proud of the show. I have been attached to it since the first season when nobody even knew about it. It is like my own baby.
"When I signed dance India dance I thought it was going to be an average show. That time the audience was used to watching a lot of celebrity dancing shows. There was no show for a common man to show his/her dancing skills. So I thought the show will end up being just decent. But the show started and the rest is history.
