Chetan Hansraj is set to scare the wits out of the protagonists once again; this time as the vengeful Rudraksh Raisinghaniya in Smriti Irani's ambitious venture Viruddh. And what's more, the guy is relishing the opportunity to the hilt.

"Actually, the fun in playing Rudraksh is that he cannot be slotted as a bad or a good guy. He has a reason for his meanness and that is to avenge the ignominy that his father goes through for being a weak-minded guy. Rudraksh is not bad just for the sake of it; which makes it interesting to play the role.

But basically, I like playing negative roles. What's the fun in playing a ‘seedha-saadha', romantic lead who has nothing more to do than keep on smiling benignly all through the episode? I love playing a character whose entry is awaited with bated breath, both by the protagonists and the audience.

There's fun in keeping all of them guessing about what this evil guy will do next," winks the actor as he continues, "That is not to say that I did not enjoy playing the cop in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi; No, in fact I loved it. But basically, I love playing the tough guy roles and there are not many of those in the positive genre.

So, I choose to play the negative ones and all my negative portrayals have been hugely appreciated, be it Sasha in Kahani Ghar Ghar Kii or Bhimdev in Prithviraj Chauhan."

When asked as to why Chetan opted for something as radically different as a historical, pat comes the reply, "Why not? I like to do any genre of programming as long as the role is good. And I have become very popular as Bhimdev, especially amongst kids, who did not form a part of my audience earlier. They keep calling out Bhimdev, Bhimdev wherever they spot me."

Chetan, who has stepped onto the Bollywood bandwagon some time ago and has the film Bhram, where he plays the second lead, up for release shortly, is vocal about the fact that though he loves films, television is something he will never leave since it gives him a steady income and constant exposure.

"I was pumping iron at my gym the other day, when John Abraham who knows me well as a television actor, told me that I have taken a very wise decision to balance out both the mediums.

John said ‘I have been plainly lucky to have made it big in this industry but it is indeed a tough job to make it big here and unless you are big, the industry is a living hell to be in.'

When a star like John opines so, I secretly praise myself for playing my cards right!" elaborates Chetan, who after an enjoyable stint with Fear Factor, is looking forward to doing yet another reality show "but provided it is interesting enough. I'd love to participate in a dance show like Jhalak Dikhla Jaa or Nach Baliye.

In fact, me and Lavinia were offered Nach Baliye but since she had just delivered Ethan at that time, we didn't participate. But, given a chance, we'd love to do some such show. I can't dance too well but I find the prospect of learning all those sexy moves, quite irresistible!"

Chetan, it seems, is all for learning something new all the time; or after a stint with yoga, the suave actor is now onto learning to strum the guitar.

"Lavinia's nephew brought in a computer package from which I could learn the notes. I just got hooked onto that thing and have been strumming at the guitar strings ever since, irrespective of the nicks my fingers have been getting. In fact, Surveen Chawla, who has learnt classical music, keeps strumming with me; we have a gala time on the sets."

Mention of Surveen brings to the fore, the unpleasant topic of the rumoured Surveen-Apoorva affair, which Chetan fumes about saying "It's the most ridiculous piece of gossip ever flung around.

If things go this way, it won't be long before our wives ask us to opt for another profession; not because they don't trust us but because it's too demeaning for a wife to keep reading about her husband, who's so devoted to her, being alleged to be seeing a co-star who's such a sweetheart and a great friend!! I'd just like to say that there's not a figment of truth in the story and that's that!" - Reshma S Kulkarni (SAMPURN)