Want to explore all kind of genres, not just comedy, says Bollywood newcomer Ashish Juneja

For a newbie, it's not at all easy to make his presence felt in the debut movie as a second lead, but 'Kuku Mathur Ki Jhand Ho Gayi' actor Ashish Juneja not only showed off his acting prowess but even outshined the main lead Siddharth Gupta with his immaculate comic timing in his debut movie. The small screen actor, famous for his Zeeshan role in 'Kya Mast Hai Life', is one of the few television actors who have successfully made their Bollywood debut. Despite the movie not performing that great on the box-office Bollywood critics are raving about this new actor on the block. Talking to IBNLive.com the perky actor from 'Kuku Mathur Ki Jhand Ho Gayi' shared his future plans and a lot more. Here's an excerpt from the interview.

You were first seen in TV show 'Kya Mast Life Hain' as Zeeshan and now you have moved from TV to Bollywood, so tell us how has your journey been?

I initially had to struggle a lot, as things were not at all easy for me. Coming from a middle-class family in Delhi, I had my own share of difficulty while I was looking for roles. You know, I actually missed a couple of good films earlier. And you would be surprised to know that I was even shortlisted for Chucha's role in 'Fukrey', but things didn't work out and I finally made my debut with 'Kuku Mathur Ki Jhand Ho Gayi'.

How did you get this role?

The casting director of 'Kuku Mathur Ki Jhand Ho Gayi' had seen my audition for 'Fukrey' and he called me up saying that he was really impressed with my performance and I perfectly fit in the character they have thought for 'Kuku Mathur Ki Jhand Ho Gayi'. So I just had to go for the look test and was shortlisted for the project.

You had that quintessential Dilliwalah accent in the movie, so being a Dilliwalah, was it easy or difficult for you to talk in that accent?

Yeah I am from Delhi but I don't actually talk like that. I have heard many of my friends talking in that accent and actually I managed to talk like that because of my cousin Deepak, who actually has that accent. So I took inspiration from him and the best part is that he doesn't really know about this.

Since it was a debut movie for both you and Siddharth, were you guys nervous about anything?

We were not nervous but anxious. Siddharth as a person is fabulous and I had no difficulties acting with him. I was actually excited about how things are going to happen and I would like you tell you that tears rolled down my eyes when I saw my movie's screening as the who's who of Bollywood had come to see my work at the screening. The only problem I had was when I was asked to gain weight to look like a typical Delhi guy who has his business. I had to put of 15 kilos for the movie.

So are we only going to see you on the silverscreen or you are open to TV roles as well?

My priority would be Bollywood, but I am ready to do anything, be it TV serials or ads.

Have you signed any other Bollywood project after 'Kuku Mathur Ki Jhand Ho Gayi'?

See the talks are on and I will be meeting up people now as I was busy promoting this movie from the past few days. Now that I have got time, I will look for it.

Working with Ekta Kapoor is quite tough as she is a taskmaster, so how was your experience with her?

This is a very wrong notion about her because Ekta Kapoor is absolutely fun-loving and sweet. She met in the vanity van and warmly hugged me, wished me luck. I also got a chance to work with her during the MTV 'Jhand' shoot.

Movie critics are actually going gaga over your work in Kuku Mathur Ki Jhand Ho Gayi, what do you have to say about the adulation that you are getting right now?

I feel great and I would like to thank my whole team of 'Kuku Mathur Ki Jhand Ho Gayi', it's because of them that I was able to bring out the best in me. I was 100 per cent dedicated towards my work and I believe that's what has me in achieving the accolades.

Any Bollywood actor you look up to or take inspiration from?

I love Akshay Kumar and he is simply great in whatever he does.

Do you think you will be typecasted after Kuku Mathur Ki Jhand Ho Gayi?

Well that's there that you are always associated with the kind of roles that you do. But I want to explore other genres as well and would love doing romantic roles too.