It may sound clichéd but advertisement films happened to me because a neighbour helpfully informed me about auditions that were happening for television commercials. I went for the auditions and before I knew it I was splashed in a host of television commercials that gave me huge visibility. So much so that I didn’t even have to get a portfolio clicked to bag more assignments. However, the television commercials that are milestones in my career include those for Ayurvedic Concepts (now Himalaya), and Britannia Little Hearts Biscuits.

A huge turning point came in 2000 when I appeared in a music video in the Hindi album, Piya Basanti, directed by Pradeep Sarkar. Piya Basanti was launched at a time when things were changing rapidly in television and the music video industry was getting really big. The album went on to become a huge success.

After the release of Piya Basanti, I began getting offers for films. But I was certain about one thing — that I wanted to graduate. I was aware that once you give up on your education to join the entertainment industry, it is difficult to go back to it. After graduation though, I started devoting more time to films and some of the notable movies in my career include Lakeer, starring Sunny Deol, John Abraham, Sunil Shetty and Sohail Khan as well as Anwar, which was directed by Manish Jha and starred Manisha Koirala.

Although there was always a steady stream of film offers, I wasn’t enjoying the kind of movies that were coming my way. As a result, I went back to television advertisement projects once more. 

Another significant milestone has been the Godrej campaign with Aamir Khan that was filmed in 2013. It was memorable because I happened to be one of those kids who when asked to name their favourite actor always named Aamir Khan. So, when the Godrej commercial came along, I was the typical giddy-headed fan. But I realised along the way that the bigger the star, the more level-headed he or she is. 

I also consider the opening of my flower store in Kemps Corner in Mumbai three years ago as an important event in my life. I never thought that one day I would enter the flower business because I didn’t really know one flower from the other. My clientele is not film-related at all since I like to keep both my professional interests separate.

In life I have always gone with the flow. I have realised that it’s best to let life take its own course.

(As told to Susmita Saha)