Actor Gurmeet Choudhary says his eyes are now totally set on films and that it's time to move on from TV. But he says he would never say a 'final goodbye' to a medium which gave a push to his career.
The actor has featured in shows like "Ramayan", "Geet - Hui Sabse Parayi" and "Punar Vivah" and even participated in reality shows like "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5" and "Nach Baliye 6".
In an interview, the actor, who has signed a three-film deal with Vishesh Films, has spoken about his stint with TV, his wife Debina and his hopes from his new movie career:
Q. Do you think your fan base from television would follow you in movies?
A. I've definitely established a fan following during all these years on television. And my fans are very devoted to me. However, I am looking at cinema as a new medium and hoping to cultivate new films. I've left behind my career on television and my fans from that medium.
Q. So no more television for you?
A. I don't want to say any final goodbye to the medium that has given me everything. But the fact of the matter is, I've done three very successful serials. Then I needed a break to build my movie career. But then my fans missed me on television. So I did Nach Baliye and Jhalak Dikhla Jaa and Khatron Ke Khiladi just so that my fans don't miss me. But it's now time to move on.
Q. Does your wife Debina also aspire to be a movie actress?
A. She is very happy doing television, and she has done films in the South. I was not even 21 when I met Debina, so not eligible for marriage then.
Q. When did you marry Debina?
A. Actually we announced our marriage on "Nach Baliye" in 2011. We got married secretly before that in 2006. We revealed our marriage on the sets of "Nach Baliye". Even our families didn't know about it. I met Debina when I was a nobody in Mumbai. I could've easily fallen into the wrong company. I've been lucky with my friends, most of all with Debina. If it wasn't for her, I'd have probably given up. She encouraged and inspired me. Due to her I felt motivated to do my best for my career.
Q. Why did you hide your marriage for five years?
A. I had told Debina that I'd make our marriage official only when I could afford a home for her. Strangely, the media never got to know. Only our very close friends knew, not our family.
Q. Do you think married actors make better stars?
A. Speaking for myself, my career has been on the upswing ever since Debina came into my life. Some of the biggest superstars of Bollywood became successful after marriage.
Q. As you embark on a new phase in your life what are your feelings?
A. I am nervous, anxious, tense and excited. Just like when I came to Mumbai for the first time and went to meet Yash Chopra. I feel I've to learn everything all over again. I enjoy the thought of working hard.
Q. How do you avoid unwanted fan attention?
A. Thankfully, my wife is also from the same industry. So she understands. All sorts of strange fans show up. Debina is actually happy to see my popularity. Sometimes fans land up at my home. Some time ago an 80-year-old lady from Chandigarh came home and wrote off her property to me. I had to hire legal help to get rid of the unwanted gift. I've seen this kind of adulation and if I'm still grounded, it's because of Debina.