Rakesh Bapat has just replaced Arjun Punj for the character Prem in ‘Saathi Re' and is expecting that the audience will like him in the show.

A Mr Grasim India winner, Rajesh aspires to be a successful Bollywood actor and producer. We met him recently to learn about his present assignment, future plans and more. Here is the excerpt of the interview.

Q: Tell us something about your character in ‘Saathii Re'.
A: Basically, I play Prem, the love interest of Suman in the serial and my character has lots of shades.

Q: Will the character turn grey?
A: Maybe.

Q: How is your chemistry with Parakh Madan and Aamir Dalvi?
A: I know them very well since the production house is the same (for ‘Saat Phere' and ‘Saathi Re'). Sometimes we used to shoot at same building and had a lot of interactions. I have known Parakh through a common friend. We all are extremely comfortable working with each other.

Q: The show is not doing well. Do you think your entry will bring the much needed spark to the show?
A: I hope it catches up, but it all depends on the audiences. I hope they like my character.

Q: You have replace Arjun Punj in the show. Does this mean we can see something new?
A: Just wait and watch.

Q: Have you planned any special looks for the character?
A: Prem is a US-returned guy so he will be stylish. You will see him wearing a lot of sweat leather jackets and jeans.

Q: You have traveled from ‘Grasim Mr. India' to ‘Saathii Re'. How has been the journey in the glamour world been?
A: It has been a fantastic ride. There have been ups and downs and I have taken a lot of wrong decisions and learnt from my mistakes. But I have enjoyed everything thoroughly. It shows how you should take on your life and gain from your experiences.

Q: Being a national award winner in painting, when can your fans expect to see your exhibition?
A. I am working towards it. I will have a exhibition of my paintings and sculptors once I have a library of my collections.

Q: What about your plans of venturing into filmmaking?
A: We are working on 3-4 scripts and once it is finalised we will go on the floor by January next.

Q: Will you be directing the project too?
A: No, I will be the producer.

Q: Is there any other serial you are working on?
A: No, right now I am busy with paintings, sculptors, films and ‘Saathi Re'.

Q: Any plans of getting back in films?
A: Talks are going on for a few international projects. Once they are finalised I can let you know about them. But you will see me soon on the silver screen.

Q: You had quit ‘Saat Phere' due to some differences with the Sphere Origins relating to the character...
A: No, that's not true. They are the sweetest people to work with. There was never any problem with them.