South actor Harshvardhan Rane, who was scheduled to make his debut in Bollywood with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Ram Leela", says he turned down the offer to star in the romance drama as had to play a negative role.

"The fact that Sanjay Leela Bhansali wanted me to be part of his film was a high point in my life. I was not looking to do negative roles."

"I wanted to do something new and different. People expected me to do negative roles. I wanted to break the norm and because of that I lost on some great work as well," Harshvardhan told PTI.

Though "Ram Leela" turned out to be a hit, Harshvardhan insists he doesn't have any regret of not being a part of the film.

"No regrets as such. It's a dream for any actor to be part of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film. I would love to work with him. I hope he has something for me in his next film," he added.

Reportedly, Harshvardhan was offered the role of Deepika Padukone's brother in "Ram-Leela" but he politely turned it down.

Now, Harshvardhan is all excited about his Bollywood debut film "Sanam Teri Kasam" which he bagged after a long struggle.


"At the age of 16 I ran from my house, did odd jobs till l landed work on television and then in film industry. My first job was at an STD booth in Delhi. Then I came to Mumbai where I distributed DVDs and that is when I got my first TV show offer "Left Right Left". I have never planned things in my career," he adds.

According to Harshvardhan, there are some uncanny similarities between him and superstar Shah Rukh Khan.

Like SRK, the 32-year-old actor is also an outsider and started his career with a television show.

"I hope I can be as successful as him someday. Shah Rukh Khan is a self made man and he does inspire with what he does. It is foolish to think that one can try and imitate or modify what he does. I have been original in my performances so far," he adds.

The romantic film "Sanam Teri Kasam" directed by director duo Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru stars Harshvardhan and Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane in lead roles. It is schedule to release on February 5.

Besides "Sanam Teri Kasam", Harshvardhan will be seen as one of the main leads in the John Abraham's home production film "Satra Ko Shaadi Hai" opposite popular TV actor Barun Sobti.