'I won't take my clothes off for any film!'

He is a popular veejay and model of ad campaigns like Colgate and Pizza Hut.

But movies beckoned. And Purab caved in. He now makes an unusual debut in two films that are as different as cheese and cake. The newcomer, though, has definite views about what he won't do onscreen. "I won't take off my clothes for any film. In fact, [directors] Akashdeep and Padam Kumar keep teasing me that there is a scene in Supari [one of Purab's films] for which I have to take off my clothes!"

Purab talks to Arti R about making the move from television to the big screen:

What films do you have on hand?

I am working on doing two films -- Padam Kumar's Supari and Bas Yuhin, an MTV production. It has been a conscious move to do something beyond television. I began with the serial Hip Hip Hurray and then moved on to being a veejay at Channel V.

I am glad to have had the chance to explore different options. But the 15-day workshop that I did when I was training for Hip Hip Hurray has been the basis for all my screen performances so far. I learnt a lot from that.

What is your debut film Bas Yuhin all about?

It is a light-hearted comedy. The film was shot over 10-15 days. It's a teen flick that doesn't give any serious gyaan. It's a simple film. This is not a typical song and dance film though it does have songs in the background.

Raja Menon has directed this film. It also stars Nandita Das, Tanisha and Sandhya. There is a very family-like feel to the entire setup.

What made you sign Supari? Isn't that an out and out commercial film?

When Padam Kumar called me, I didn't want to meet him. At that point, I wasn't sure whether I wanted to work in films. I said I had to go for a party. He said, "No problem. I will wait for you till 2 am." So I actually met him at 1 am.

He gave me the script. I read it. But I called him next morning and told his wife that I wouldn't do the film -- I was terribly scared of him. But he persisted and eventually, I agreed.

Supari, unlike Bas Yuhin, is a far more traumatic subject that deals with four contract killers and how they came into being. It is a complete entertainer.

Are you happy with the first rushes?

Facing the camera gives me quite a rush, and when I first saw myself in the rough cut of Bas Yuhin, I was terribly excited. It's something to see yourself live and huge on screen.