I am an engineer-turned-actor and films didn’t happen to me easily. My first big Bollywood break came only in 2007, when Ashutosh Gowarikar signed me on for Jodhaa Akbar. After Jodhaa Akbar, I’ve been getting offers from big banners, like J.P. Dutta, UTV and Rajashri Productions.

Working with Ashutosh was a pleasure. He is easygoing and allows you to improvise on the sets. In fact, there was a scene in Jodhaa Akbar, where my character, Sujamal, Jodhaa’s brother, had to jump onto a horse and gallop away at full speed — an action sequence. I wanted to try out the stunt myself and Ashutosh was very enthusiastic.

I had perhaps already made a small impact in Bollywood while playing the role of Abhishek’s brother in Mani Ratnam’s Yuva (2004). And what caught Mani Ratnam's attention was my work in Tamil cinema. In 2000, I got my first break on celluloid through Tamil films. I did 22 of them. Acting in those films really shaped my career.

While in college in 1995, I participated in the Graviera Mr India Contest. That is how my interest in showbiz grew. I first completed my engineering. Initially, I was in two minds about getting into films. But after my mother encouraged me and gave me her blessings, I decided to go for it.

Now, I’m waiting for the release of Aneez Bazmee’s Singh Is Kinng, where I play an underworld don, in August, and Rajashri Production’s Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi later in the year, where I play the lead role opposite Isha Koppikar. And I’m still counting on my mum’s support!

(As told to Nandini Guha)