Newcomer Sahil Mehta idolises SRK

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.