Manish Paul begins shooting for `Tere Bin Laden` sequel

New Delhi: TV anchor Manish Paul, whose Bollywood debut `Mickey Virus` is yet to hit screens, has bagged the lead role in Abhishek Sharma`s sequel to 2010 hit satire `Tere Bin Laden`.

Paul, 31, plays a new character in the film, who helps the story to move further. "I am playing the lead in the film along with the previous star cast. I got the offer to be a part of the film before I bagged `Mickey Virus`. "Abhishek (director) had called me once and I auditioned for it. He was so impressed with my performance that he gave me the lead role in his film. I have recently started shooting for `Tere Bin Laden` sequel," Manish said. `Tere Bin Laden` sequel is scheduled to hit theatres next year. When asked whether he was replacing Ali Zafar, Paul declined to divulge further details about the film. Having started his career as a radio jockey, Paul starred in many TV soaps before turning a successful TV anchor. Paul said he was getting many offers for films in the past but was waiting for a "wholesome" role to make his debut. "I was getting many film offers but was not keen to do them because they were not good enough. I always wanted to be a part of such films where I could show my acting prowess. I wanted a wholesome role as an actor," said Paul, who is hosting the upcoming season of `Jhalak Dikhla Ja`. For his debut film `Mickey Virus`, Paul will be seen in a new avatar with six-pack abs. "I had to prepare a lot for this character. I play a hacker in the film and I had to learn computer for it. Physically, I had to lose 14 kgs and built six pack abs for a scene where my shirt goes off," he added. But as an actor, Paul said he had to unlearn many technicalities while facing a camera. "When we face the camera as an anchor, it is a completely different experience compared to films. Anchoring is loud and prompt but acting is subtle and soft. So, I had to undo many things and was like any newcomer on the sets," he said. PTI