You know him as the director of films such as Lagaan (2001) and Jodhaa Akbar (2008). But filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker started off as an actor in the industry. He was seen in the acclaimed Marathi film Ventilator (2016) and after a seven-year hiatus, he gave a nod to the recently released web show Kaala Paani.

“I never got a good part until now,” he says, as he explains the long gap between his acting stints. He continues, “I am quite particular and knew the kind of roles I wanted to play on screen. I can never play the father of the heroine, or a bad guy - a role without any purpose or back story. I have no problem playing the bad guy, but I want to know his previous life, and it has to be integral to the plot line. If you move my character, the story should collapse. If it doesn’t collapse, I don’t do it.”

Gowariker admits he takes his time to commit to projects, be it as an actor or director. “It is not about rejection, but about what suits you,” says the 59-year-old, who essayed the role of a governor in the survival drama.

“I was playing someone very sure of himself and is authoritative. But, a moment comes in his life that tears him apart. A series has to be eternal because it will be remembered regardless of the box-office [numbers],” he ends.