Sahil Mehta is switching from films to television and says he looks up to superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who made a successful transition from the small to the big screen.

The 26-year-old made his acting debut with filmmaker Subhash Ghai's film production `Love Express` in 2011. The film didn't do any wonders for him, but in a way helped him to bag a role in a new TV show `Suhani Si Ek Ladki`.

`My first film didn't work and then my mother passed away due to cancer. I took a sabbatical. I travelled to places like Singapore, Ladakh, Britain and the US in 2012.

"I came back in 2013 and that's when Suzana Ghai (niece of Subhash Ghai) offered me a chance to be part of the show,` the alumnus of Subhash's Whistling Woods International Institute, told IANS.

He might have tried his hand at films first and then TV, but he looks up to a few actors who made a name for themselves in the world of television first and then went on to become movie stars like King Khan.

When asked about his favourite TV actors, he said: `Shah Rukh Khan started from television. He was a part of 'Fauji' and Irrfan Khan too did TV. These guys are superb. My sister and I watch 'Fauji' every year from first to last episode. I really like Barun Sobti's work too... He was fantastic on his show.`

While Sahil is yet to prove his mettle like his favourite stars, he has high hopes from the new Star Plus show that will first go on air Monday.

`It is a very feel good show. It's Allahabad based. I play Yuvraj. He is a grey character... arrogant and rich... born with multiple golden spoons and is close to his mother. He doesn't have a father.


"My father also passed away in 1996, so that's how I relate to Yuvraj,` said Sahil, who shares the screen space with his `Love Express` co-star Neha Yadav in the show.

The two have been friends for the past eight years, but there's nothing more than that between them!

`Neha and I did a film together. We've been friends. She was also my batchmate in Whistling Woods. Neha has always been a friend. Me and Neha... no (not dating). I am already in a relationship,` he said.

He didn't have to make efforts to break the ice with Neha, but the same can't be said about his other co-star Rajshri Rani, who plays Suhani in the show.

`Suhani hasn't been trained in any acting, so initially I didn't get along with her. After seven to ten days, I found out this girl is just like the character. Now we get along well. We are good friends,` he said.

The Delhi boy's heart lies in expressing himself through acting and he's fine with any medium.