Leander Paes taking acting lessons for 1.5 year

Bangalore (ANI): Having once again proved his charisma by winning his 11th Grand Slam title just three days ago, Indian Tennis star Leander Paes on Tuesday said he has never been averse to the idea of joining Bollywood, but always avoided all offers in the hope that the 'the perfect script" will come his way one day.

"For me, especially being an athlete and an entertainer, it's something that everyone wants to get into films. So till now I have had many, many opportunities to be in the films, there have been many roles that have been offered to me, lead roles, in the last 14 years but really, there has not been one role that has come in and enticed me as such. But I am sure…if there is a role that actually comes in and …in a position where I can enhance my character, or actually play a role, that is something that is really interesting for me. Sure, I am not averse to it," Paes told reporters in Bangalore city on Tuesday.

Paes has reportedly been taking acting lessons for last one-and-a-half year. Meanwhile, on returning to hometown, Paes was given a warm welcome on Tuesday at the Bangalore airport. Paes won the Australian Open mixed doubles with Zimbabwean partner Cara Black in Melbourne on Sunday (January 31). Paes also expressed hope that the 2010 Commonwealth Games would be a great success.

"The Commonwealth Games is a great stage for India to perform on. For us athletes, to actually covet more gold and silver medals is really important. Also, at the same time, for India to showcase itself to the other Commonwealth countries and to the world, as to we are a safe place to play. We are a wonderful country to visit as spectators, and I have said that before, I think the Commonwealth Games in India at the end of this year is going to be a real success," added Paes.

The Commonwealth Games 2010 in New Delhi will be India's first major international sports event after the 1982 Asian Games. Leander Paes is one of India's top tennis players and has been the recipient of the country's highest sporting honour, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award in 1996-1997, as well as the Padma Shree award in 2001 for his contribution to Indian tennis.