He has won many accolades as an actor. He has also won a singing competition in the reality show – Say Shava Shava.

He was even advised by the judges to take up a career in singing along with his existing career in acting. Better known as Sahil in Sarabhai Versus Sarabhai, Sumeet Raghavan is a man of different shades.

The handsome and suave actor is back in the world of serials after two and a half years with a new show on Star One – Pani Puri (begins, August 30, every Saturday at 9pm).

"It is a comedy show that will be aired once a week. But I would not claim that this show is hugely different from the other comedy serials you see on television.

At the same time I must admit that we are trying to make it a shade different from the run of the mill you fare you see on television today, " says Sumeet when asked about the show.

Pani Puri is the story of how these two vastly different people fall in love and come across hilarious situations in their married life.

"I am playing the role of Vikas Puri who hails from a typical Punjabi family. They are always loud and show their emotions irrespective of whether they are sad or happy, " informs the actor.

"Smita Bansal ( Divya Paani) is playing my love interest in the serial. She comes from a typical up-market chic family. Her father is a retired intelligence officer who grills me every time we meet, " says Sumeet.

The actor is banking heavily on this serial to get out of the Sahil Sarabhai image. "Even today people associate me with my character in Sarabhai Versus Sarabhai.

While it is a great satisfaction for me to think that my role is so popular even today, I think it is time to get out of that image. I spent the last two and half years in toning my body and looking different. Using today's lingo, I am going in for an image makeover, " says the actor who has lost a lot of weight and looks lean and mean.

"I am getting compliments from everywhere on my new look and that is making me very happy. Full credit, however, goes to my wife for motivating me, " says a beaming Sumeet.

He was also seen in U, Me Aur Hum in an important character role. Is there anything else happening on the film front? "I don't have anything else in my kitty now.

I have acted in a Nandita Das film In Such Times and it is scheduled for a release in film festivals soon. Nandita directed the movie. Other than that nothing else is happening on the film front for me, " says Sumeet.

His crooning skills enthralled Say Shava Shava judges including Simi Garewal and Karan Johar. Sumeet had even promised to make an album after that. Any progress on that front?

"I am continuing my riyaaz every day. Come what may I do not miss my daily practice session. However, there has not been much progress on the album front. Currently I am focusing entirely on Pani Puri."