Starring: Ashutosh Rana!

Komal Nahta

If you wondered why you haven't seen the talented actor Ashutosh Rana much these days, the answer is quite simple.

Quite intentionally, says the dreaded postman of Dushman and the eccentric villain in Sangharsh.

Rana has been signed to play hero in no less than five films, including Pardesi Re (opposite a new girl) and Danger (opposite Tara Deshpande), and Checkmate and Underworld, the leading ladies for which are still being finalised. Then, there is Din Police Ka.

To look part, Rana has taken to physical fitness with a vengeance.

The guy is pretty excited about the lead roles coming his way. And no, Manoj Bajpai's non-success seems to have not deterred him at all. Says Ashustosh Rana, "Either it has to be the main villain or the main hero. If I have to beat up people, it must be me and me alone beating them up. Even if I have to get beaten up, it must be me and me alone!"

Ranjeet, the famous villain, smiled when Ashutosh Rana explained his professional philosophy to him. "Like you," said Rana to Ranjeet, "I, too, want to get beaten up as the main guy!"

Incidentally, Rana recently lent his vocal chords to the tunes of new music director Sujeet, while recording for a song at Bombay's Audio Villa for Pardesi Re.