"No more of TV, I want to do films now" - Vikas Manakatla

Monday, February 26, 2007

Meet Vikas aka Huda of Left Right Left. The guy's the latest in Indian television. He is not only hot, but a cool dude too. These days this model-turned-actor from Delhi is creating waves on television and has become sort of a youth icon in just one go. He is also a fitness freak and likes doing his own stunts!

Vikas has done training from the Kishore Namit acting institute and also done the advanced course in acting. He dabbled with the theatre for a while and wrote scripts, and screenplay there. "All this helps a lot in my acting role in Left Right Left," claims Vikas.

Nevertheless, the entire cast of the show has had to take a rigorous training for their respective roles role in Left Right Left. "Yes. In fact, we prepared a lot. We took training for one-and-a-half week in an Army school. Next, we talked to some Army people. Then we rehearsed a lot before actual shooting. We sat with the producer also. So lot of homework has gone into the serial before the shooting began," says the handsome actor.

Unlike many of his clan, Vikas is completely at home with his role in Left Right Left and says that he is enjoying the part since he has a lot of respect for the Army. "I am happy with the look. As I respect the Army a lot and I knew that I had to change my look, I had no problems at all. If there was no change, things would have appeared as dead. I think I am looking good in the serial, as I have also given it some funky look too."

Besides, he is enjoying working for Left Right Left. "We are all enjoying a lot whenever we get time. We just hangout, go bowling, partying and just have lots of fun," he claims.

But, what about the love triangle involving Vikas, Caption Rajveer and Naina in the show? We ask him if Naina will she fall for him. Now, the guy is guarded as well as candid, "Yes, there is a love triangle among the three of us, but I too don't know whether she will fall for me or not. I leave this too our creative team. Till now no one is able to say no to Huda, but Naina is the only one to reject him. That is why Huda fell for her.....now let's see what happens as the story carries on," is all that he reveals.

Vikas in very happy about the fame and recognition that Left Right Left has brought to him. "I feel encouraged and it feels very nice. I feel that my hard work has not gone in waste ....," says he.

He also thinks that the role of Huda has given a correct start for his career. We ask him about it and he admits. "Yes, of course. I had got many other offers too, but this story and script appealed to me so much that I lapped this up. I am really satisfied as an actor, as I got an opportunity to play the grey as well as positive shades together in one role. Now, it is going really good...."

Vikas is, however, a lucky-go-type and does not like comparisons when we ask him if he would have been happier to portray Caption Rajveer on the screen? He diplomatically avoids an answer to this saying, "See, I feel that each role has its own identity and so I can't play his role and neither can he play mine. He is a very good actor and a very nice and friendly person too."

In addition to acting, Vikas, as we told you earlier, is a fitness freak. "I maintain by body and try to look after my diet. I go to the gym, but these days I get less time for exercise. So, I try to take out some time for gym to keep myself fit." And what is Vikas like in real life? Listen from the horse's mouth. "I was an introvert before, but now I have changed to be an extrovert. I am now friendly, as I love to make new friends. Apart from this, I love kick boxing, singing and dancing is my passion. Doing stunts attracts me too."

And did you know that Vikas is not too keen to continue his career on the small screen? "Now I am not so keen to do television serials as I am getting offers for films too. I am waiting for some good roles in films."

Best of luck Vikas, we to hope that you jet set ahead like King Khan. Did SRK also not start his career on the small screen and grow to great heights on the celluloid?