Dev is not a competitor: Soham

He is more of an adda partner and an inspiration. Tense and excited about his Friday release, Soham says that marriage has nothing to do with BO results
You���������re being pitched by Shree Venkatesh Films as the next Prosenjit Chatterjee...
It���������s a huge complement. Bumba mamu���������s my inspiration. I still remember how he was by my side during my struggling days.I���������ve been acting with him since I was three (in ���������Chotobou���������). We are actors with an aim to do justice to characters. It���������s my profession and if I excel in it, I will naturally become a hero.
Does being touted as the next big thing also add on to the pressure?
There is a certain responsibility when hopes are pinned on you. You have to be better than your last.
With SVF taking you under its wings, does it give you an edge over other new faces in the industry?
There���������s no denying that I am Soham because of SVF. People started taking note of me post-���������Prem Amar���������. I shall be indebted to Raj Chakrabarty for giving me this opportunity. Monida (Mahendra Soni) and Shrikanta da (Mohta) are like my brothers. I want them to support me in all my endeavours.
You���������ve done five films with SVF... (���������Prem Amar���������, ���������Amanush���������, ���������Phande Poriya Boga Kande Re���������, ���������Le Halua Le��������� and Raja Chanda���������s untitled next)
I am the luckiest in the world. That the banner continues to open its doors for me is more than what I could have asked for. In fact, I started getting outside calls after SVF banked on me.
Now that you are in its good books, do you have the guts to work with other banners?
Not at this very moment. I need to establish myself further. There���������s no denying that no one knows the movie business like SVF. Maybe after one or two years I might venture outside. But even today, if I get any offer, I always consult Shrikant da. He keeps saying , ���������Soham, if we give you one, we shall always try to see that others offer you one plus���������.
What if you are offered a meaty role outside this production house?
When it comes to choosing, I���������d rest on Shrikant da���������s advise.
You are experimenting with different genres.
When I entered the industry, there were established actors. Following the same steps would���������ve made things difficult for me. I���������ve been cautious not to repeat characters as I want to be unpredictable to my audience.
Do you think directors tend to experiment with you because you don���������t have the conventional hero looks?
I think, not having the stereotypical look works to my advantage. For example, my character in ���������PPBKR��������� is that of an innocent guy, a total contrast to the action-oriented character in Raja da���������s next.
You are working with big names like Srabanti, Koel, Mithun, Ranjit Mallick in big ventures...
The best part is I���������m not an outsider here. For a fresher, working with such big names might have been unnerving. They are not a brand to me but more like my extended family.
The audience will get to see you in ���������PPBKR��������� after quite some time. Are you apprehensive of this Puja release?
I���������m excited and tense. People keep saying, ���������Sohamda hattrick chai���������. Honestly, I think hattrick hoye jabe.
Will the Srabanti-Soham jodi create the same magic post-���������Amanush���������?
Definitely. It���������s a sweet story with solid script support. If earlier, people have seen me going to any extent to win the heroine, here they will see me wracking my brains to keep the heroine away at bay.
Is it mere coincidence that Soham is always portrayed as the helpless guy?
Maybe my looks are to be blamed for that. I think, directors feel such characters go well with me. But the audience is in for a surprise in Rajada���������s next. Here, it���������s a rugged character. Kotha kom mar beshi.
Coming back to ���������PPBKR���������, how did you overcome your vertigo?
I wanted to test my limits. The fight master also mentally prepared me to take the plunge. I was afraid to jump from a height of 300 ft. But once over, my fear dispelled.
And did director Soumikda (Chattopadhaya) gift you the promised chocolates?
Not yet. Got to ask for them now.
Dev is still the one with screen presence and Soham the actor.
There was a time when I used to see posters of Dev while standing on the road. No denying that Dev is my friend, adda partner and also an inspiration. He is fine within his space and vice versa. There is no complex between us.
Is that another way of saying that you are thankful that Dev and you cannot be compared as directors will approach you guys for very different roles?
Not at all. The image matters and directors know best which actor will suit a particular character.
Don���������t you wish for a craze like Dev?
I do. If previously, one person gave me a look, now it���������s 10. It should not take much longer for that figure to go up to 100.
How open are you about your love life?
It���������s open to all. I���������ve been engaged to Tanaya for the past five years. She was there with me when I wasn���������t Soham. Her contribution is priceless. Today, I might go for dinner to a five star hotel, but I remember the time when we used to share one icecream together.
When do you plan to settle down?
I intend to be a married man in 2012.
Won���������t that affect your BO?
Did it affect the BO results of SRK, Hrithik or an Aamir? It���������s acting that matters, not what I do in personal life.