Though actor Ankur Vikal's "Missed Call" failed to ring loud at the box office, he has been heard well by director Ashwin Kumar of "Little Terrorist" fame.

Ashwin has roped in Ankur for his next venture "The Forest", which is going to be shot mostly at the Corbett wildlife park.

The actor, who has his background in theatre, says Bollywood opened up only after people saw him performing on stage.

"In any case work doesn't happen until they see you acting. "Maqbool", "Mango Souffle" and now "Missed Call" happened after the directors saw me performing on stage," Ankur told in an interview.

Q. First your background.
A. I passed out of the NSD (National School of Drama) in 2000 and came to Mumbai in 2001. I was taken under the wings by Naseeruddin Shah. Since then he has been my guru.

Before that, I was studying architecture in Ahmedabad. It seemed to be the least evil of my choices. But it didn't work out for me. I switched to theatre. Whatever films I have done so far have been essentially because of my plays. I have not done the usual rounds of producers. I am not really pushing in cinema. It's enough that I am trying to understand acting through the best possible teacher (Shah).

In any case work doesn't happen until they see you acting. "Maqbool", "Mango Souffle" and now "Missed Call" happened after the directors saw me performing on stage.

Q. Your accomplished performance in "Missed Call" is likely to go unnoticed because it's such a niche film.
A. Only one thought keeps coming to my mind. Nothing ever turns out the way we want. But if we work hard, we have lesser regrets. That's my motto in life. And there have been positive results already. Ashwin Kumar saw "Missed Call" at a screening in Delhi and he offered me his feature film "The Forest".

I am shooting that immediately. I play the central role. It's going to be shot at the Corbett wildlife park. He says it's going to open the Cannes festival next year.

Q. But let it be made first!
A. Sorry. I guess I am showing off. I guess for someone who has been unemployed for so many years, a little bit of excitement about assignments is permissible. I love acting. I want to do it in theatre and cinema. I know my job. But I have worked hard enough on myself to be confident about my abilities. I am virtually unknown in Bollywood. But I am content.

I am aspiring to be Buddhist in my beliefs. Though I would hesitate from calling myself a Buddhist or anything else. If I can manage to be focused on my work I am happy.

Q. Who are you looking forward to working with?
A. Beggars can't be choosers. I can't be unrealistic enough to believe they are all dying to work with me. Right now I am excited about Ashwin Kumar's film.

A. Did he come to you after Shah Rukh said no?
A. I don't mind even if he went to the entire industry before coming to me. It's a prized role.

Q. Tell me about yourself.
A. I live alone. I am a loner, though I enjoy meeting people. I like my own space. I read a book a day since childhood. I didn't have too many friends even as a kid. I spent a lot of time gritting my teeth, so I have a very strong jaw. Do I have a boyfriend or a girlfriend? Neither actually.

Q. That sounds like a lie.
A. It is a lie, actually. I am seeing someone. But I don't see how that has a bearing on me as an actor.

Q. Is it Naseeruddin Shah's daughter Heeba?
A. It is. I am seeing her. But I don't think I will be getting married. I don't believe in the institution.