Sonu Sood who shot to fame with his performances in films like Yuva and Aashiq Banaya Aapne earlier and Jodha Akbar recently is on seventh heaven, because his film Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi with Eesha Koppikhar as his leading lady is all set for release shortly.

"I never even dreamt in the wildest of my dreams that I'd play the role of Prem in a Rajshri film.

Like Ashutosh Gowarikar had seen me in Yuva and decided to cast me in Jodha Akbar, Soorajji liked my very first shot in Aashique Banaya Aapne and felt that I suited the role of Prem", quips Sonu Sood when I meet him for this interview at Rajshri Films office in mid-town.

Sonu adds. "It is a very big challenge for me as an actor to play the role of Prem in a Rajshri film like Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi because the reach of the character Prem in a Rajshri film is immense right from Maine Pyar Kiya till today.

It is a very big responsibility for an actor to, play the role of Prem in a Rajshri film, because you have to give your best so that you can live up to the expectations."

Sonu concedes that he could identify with the character of Prem in the film a lot because like Prem, he too hails from a small town.

"The film is about a guy who is so committed to his beloved that eh is even ready to wait for her for twelve years. Like Ram of Ramayan, Prem of Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi is also a rare person one would not be able to come across every day in life."

Sonu asserts that Kaushik Ghatak who had directed Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi had earlier directed serials like Kyonki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Woh Rehne Wali Mehlon Ki etc is a technician who knows his job well.

"Kaushik was open to suggestions. From Day ne I could gel as an actor with Kaushik because I could give him two to three options that he wanted from me as an actor."

Sonu confesses that he had come to Mumbai in the first place to become a hero but he was inundated with only negative roles. "I made my debut in a negative role with Gurdaas Maan's film Zindagi Khoobsoorat Hai.

It has taken me time to learn the tricks of the trade and the technicalities. It was only with experience that I learnt that the roles and the technicians that you choose matter a lot.

Sonu has no qualms to admit that he is aware of the fact that he has done bad films too as an actor.

"Even now when I watch a film of mine, I frankly tell my director what I feel about the film, because I believe in being frank. I feel that every day is a learning experience and every director is like a school which teaches me.

I feel that there will be growth in you till your last breath. My confidence level has increased over the years and frankly I am no longer insecure as an actor."

Sonu admits that he had been waiting for a phase like this all these years. "I am lucky as an actor I have been able to try my hand at different genres of films. If Jodha Akbar was a historical, Singh is Kinng was an action comedy.

Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi is a family social. I am having up my sleeves two more films- Dhoondthe Reh Jaaoge, which is an out and out complete comedy and Sharafat Gayi Tel Lene, which is a comedy thriller with Savita who had produced Khosla Ka Ghosla."

Sonu asserts that he is not adamant about doing only solo lead roles.

"I am ready to do rles which convince me. Today a stage has come when characters can play the lead and dominate, because people have started relating to characters than actors unlike earlier.

A star cannot carry a character on his shoulder but a character actor can. My main grouse is that though I have been nominated for several awards, I have till date not received any award. However I have not given up hope".

Sonu continues. "All my dream roles have already been played by Mr Bachchan. I admire his discipline and hard work. Though I have worked with Abhishek Bachchan, I am yet to get an opportunity to work with Mr Bachchan.

I always feel that if you aim for the sky, you will never be able to get it. I am waiting for the right script to come my way. What's written for you will happen.

When I came to Mumbai, I never even thought that I would be able to work with Mani Ratnam, Ashuthosh Gowarikar or Sooraj Barjatya. In six years, I have learnt to be humble. I have learnt to wait for my time and not panic unnecessarily"

Sonu, who has acted in thirteen films in Telugu and eight films in Tamil till date besides Hindi films like Zindagi Khoobsoorat Hai, Sheesha, Aashique Banaya Aapne etc picks Jodha Akbar, Yuva, Super (Telugu), Bhagat Singh and last but not the least Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi as his five best films as far as his career is concerned.

After working in Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi, Sonu feels that romance has a greater reach than even action which he loves to do, because romance touches the chords which even action does not.