'I can't don ill-fitting period costumes'

Ekta Kapoor's blue-eyed boy Jaya Bhanushali speaks to V Ananth on why he doesn't want to do a mythological serial.

One of Ekta Kapoor's deepest blue-eyed boys has rejected an offer which means invoking the wrath of the soap empress.

Jay Bhanushali, who endeared himself to soap watchers with the Balaji Telefilms' serial Kayamath first and then with his dance moves on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa has turned down an offer to act in the upcoming mythological series Mahabharat.

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The role that he was offered was that of Sahadev, one of the five Pandavas.

Straight talk
Without a pause, Bhanushali says, "Right now, I am not acting in any show. I would not have had the problem of adjusting my dates and so on. I told Ekta straight that I won't be able to do her show because I am not cut out for a period drama on television"

How come? To that the actor responds, "I just cannot bring myself to mouth chaste Hindi- cum-Sanskrit tongue twisting dialogue. Neither can I don ill fitting period costumes and wear a mukut - after playing aam aadmi ka roles in serials like Kayamath. In fact, I used to watch the earlier TV version of Mahabharat during my childhood.

Bhanushali claims that Ekta Kapoor was cool about the role rejection. He states, "Contrary to the image she has, Ekta understood my point of view. She had no ego problems..we shook hands and parted ways.

"She has assured me that she will cast me in a serial which is set in today's times. I may even do a reality show for her. After all, I will always be indebted to her for having given me my big break on television."

Film-wards
The actor discloses that like Prachi Desai and Rajeev Khandelwal, he is also looking towards a film acting career.

He reasons, "After overexposure on television, there is a danger of getting burnt out."