I’m ready to take the fall: Anuj

Enterpreneur, doc and TV star Anuj Saxena readies for his first Bollywood flick as an actor
Your first film is finally ready to hit the screens...
It’s been long overdue. Finally after all these years and many deliberations, my film is all set to release. And I had to produce it myself! Right now, I’m going through mixed emotions — I’m nervous, excited, tense. I’ve made a film — as an actor and producer — and I hope the audience likes it.
You have an image of a romantic hero. So, why choose to do an action thriller in your debut vehicle?
It’s a deliberate choice. I have been known as a romantic hero for all those five years that I worked on TV. So when the opportunity presented itself to show my skills as an action hero, I jumped at it. See, action as a genre is still appreciated. I want to surprise my fans; I want to show them that I can be a romantic and action hero at the same time. My fans will want to go to the theatres to see my different avatar.
So you’re happy with the choice of Udita Goswami as the leading lady?
Absolutely. Udita is one of the most underexposed actors in the industry. She is attractive and sexy and suits the role very well. Udita has been part of some good films like Paap, but at the end of the day she just lies low. As co-stars we bonded well in the film.
Your director Jagmohan Mundhra distanced himself from the film citing too much interference from you.
Jag Mundhra is a respected director and one has to trust his judgement. He is a grown up man and I’m sure he knows what he’s doing or saying. Whatever he said is the thing of the past, right now he is here and promoting the film.
So is it true that you interfere too much?
I’m trying to do the best I can — as a producer and an actor. This is the last chance for me. It’s a make or break situation as the film will set the tone for my future as an actor in the industry. While on the sets I was purely involved as an actor, I learned a lot from my director. It’s only the post production stage that proved to be a headache. I cannot forget the fact that I’m also the producer of the film. There is so much to be done on the editing table — the action, the graphics, the background score. It’s a very strenuous process. But all said and done, if anything goes wrong I’m ready to take the fall.
Are you single or dating someone?
Well, I was dating someone earlier, but right now I’m single. But don’t get me wrong, I’m not doing this just because I want the tag of eligible bachelor. Yes, it is flattering to my ego at times, but the fact is I don’t want to get into any relationship right now because I have so much to do and so little time. Let my film release first and after that I’ll start chasing women (laughs).