Santosh is back with a bang!

DIDN’T WANT TO BE TYPECAST, SAYS JAI HO ACTOR

Actor Santosh Shukla took three years’ hiatus after his debut film ‘Jai Ho’ starring Salman Khan and his second release ‘Desi Kattey’. The Lucknowite, who did not want to be typecast as a gangster, is now making his comeback on big screen in a lead role. “After Jai Ho and Desi Kattey, the roles I was being offered were of angry young man with long flowing hair and beard. But, I did not want to be typecast. So, I thought to give myself a break and grab the role that showcases my acting skills,” Santosh tells HT City on a visit to his hometown after the first schedule of his film Khatoon. He refused many TV and film offers during the gap before signing his next. “This is the kind of film I was waiting for all these years. Though I am playing the lead in the film but the hero of movies is the script. Set in the backdrop of 1962 India-China war it’s an action-packed film,” he says. The film is being shot in the beautiful landscape of Manali where Tubelight was also shot. When asked how his film is different from Salman’s Tubelight, the actor says though both the films are in the backdrop of Indo-Sino war, our film is very different from Salman bhai’s film which was a story of two brothers. Khatoon has war, prison escape, love affair with a Chinese girl and much more,” says Santosh. The actor has got a new look in the film with short hair, broad side-locks with trimmed beard. “They have done a lot of experiment on

They have done a lot of experiment on my looks. The best part of the film is that I am doing all the high-standard action sequences. SANTOSH SHUKLA, ACTOR

my looks. The best part of the film is that I am doing all the high-standard action sequences. And, after completing the film, I believe that I would be ready to do some real actions in the next season of Khatron Ke Khiladi — an offer that I have been pushing for last two seasons,” he says. Do we see his mentor Salman Khan doing a cameo? “It’s true that I am close to the family but it should be the demand of the film. The team is looking forward to have Sohail (Khan) bhai for a few shots and we will request him for the same. In fact, during my break I was playing cricket league for Sohail bhai’s team so we hope to convince him,” he says. On his Lucknow visit he says, “I got a good break after the first leg of shoot so it was a perfect occasion to visit home during Rakshabandhan. Now, I am looking forward to catch up with friends and acquaintance before leaving for Mumbai.”

PHOTO: DHEERAJ DHAWAN