Acting tough, but enjoyable: Saqib Saleem

New Delhi: Saqib Saleem started as a model and turned to acting with ‘Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge’. He agrees that modelling is an easier job but says he enjoys facing the camera for movies more.

The 24-year-old made his Bollywood debut in 2011 and says the variety of different characters that one can play is what excites him most about acting. "When I was a model, I used to enjoy it. But now, I feel acting has given me so much to do... there is so much more to perform. As an actor, I get to do so many characters in various films. It is, of course, tougher but much more enjoyable," Saqib said. He did TV commercials for brands like Pepsi, KFC, Tata Docomo and Bar One before he stepped into filmdom through Yash Raj Films. Saqib says it was his visibility in these advertisements that helped him get noticed. "The ads I did helped people to start noticing me and I got calls for audition. To audition with big production houses, you have to have a good background with commercials. I think I got noticed through television," he said. Asked if he has any dream role in mind, the actor said: "If a script comes to me, I read it and I see what I can do to it. Everybody does a role differently and I give my touch to each role. I can`t say that something is my dream role." Saqib is now ready with his second movie - debutante director Ashima Chibber`s ‘Mere Dad Ki Maruti’. The movie surrounds the life of a Chandigarh-based Punjabi family. Saqib plays Raj, who loses his father`s (Ram Kapoor) car. The promo of the movie looks fun and it seems the movie is loaded with great comedy. Saqib says a good equation with the director and preparation helped him for ‘Mere Dad Ki Maruti’. "I just feel that if you and your director are on the same page, then things become a lot easier. The other actors of the film had a lot of extensive readings. So, once we started shooting, everything got into pace. I did not feel any pressure," Saqib said. The young actor is all praise for his on-screen father Ram Kapoor, who is a celebrated name on Indian television. "I think he is just phenomenal. Of course, he played my father in the film but off sets I had a great time. We had a pretty good time shooting (together). He is very supportive. "I am new and he was very helpful with how I should be facing the cameras and how I should be in front of the light. When I did something correctly, he appreciated it. So it feels great that an actor like Ram Kapoor liked my work," Saqib said. IANS