Ashim Gulati has known that his destiny lies in showbiz ever since he was a boy of 11. A decade later, he left home to try his luck in Mumbai, with no one to really fall back on. Fortunately, the Delhi lad was spared the horrors most strugglers face in the city. He soon found work as a model and then dabbled in television. Today, the 25-year-old is eagerly awaiting the release of his Bollywood debut, Tum Bin 2. In an exclusive interview with BT, the newcomer relives his journey from a model to a male lead. Excerpts:

You come from a middle-class family in Delhi. Were your parents supportive of your decision to be an actor?
In middle-class Delhi homes, acting is not a common professional choice. Initially, even I went through a phase of self-doubt. Though my parents allowed me to pursue my interest, they warned me that it wouldn't be easy.

Was it tough adjusting to life in Mumbai?
Anyone who comes from Delhi to Mumbai will experience a culture shock. People there live in a bubble, and are spoilt. In Mumbai, no one has time to waste; people work hard and party harder. Living here has its cons as well because Mumbai shoots you up like a star and drops you like a bad habit. There were times I felt lonely, with no one to go back home to. I'd wake up at night and start crying. But the good part is, Mumbai has made me who I am. This city keeps me going, I need this adrenaline rush.

You started out as a model and enjoyed a short stint on TV before Tum Bin 2 came your way. How did that pan out?
After doing a few ads, I was offered a finite series called Gulmohar Grand. It was a great team to work with. My family wanted me to be financially secure, so they insisted that I continue with TV. But I did television purely to understand how I fare before the camera. I was terrible in the beginning, but I learnt. After that, I didn't take up more offers - my instinct told me that television would be a massive commitment, which might backfire if I don't get along with the team, or if my character doesn't pan out well. Then I featured in a video with Sonakshi Sinha.

How did Tum Bin 2 happen?
I was enjoying steaming hot parathas at home (Delhi), when I got a call for audition. After clearing the initial rounds, Anubhav sir (director Anubhav Sinha) called me for an audition. It was a really tough day for me. I had to appear in an episode of a TV show and shot the entire day. I was late for the audition, and hadn't even seen my lines. Sir was angry, but he gave me a chance. Fortunately, he liked the audition and decided to cast me. I met Bhushan Kumar briefly after that. We haven't looked behind since then.

It's a tall order to match Tum Bin's standard. Are you ready for it?
It's a great responsibility, as that film is etched in public memory. Tum Bin 2 is a contemporary take on the original movie. The challenge was to match the flavour with fresh ingredients. People who've seen our film feel that we're good as newcomers. Funnily enough, Raqesh Bapat is a distant relative of mine, and I'm playing the part he essayed in the first outing.

As newcomers, do you and your co-actor Aditya Seal worry about being accepted?
People have warmed up to the idea of newcomers now. So, we won't be the laughing stock for sure. I know many boys were vying for the roles that Aditya and I finally bagged. I have great respect for everyone, but I don't pay attention to others in the race. And, I don't mean it in an arrogant way. I believe that the only time I will lose out is when I look behind. This film has given us a sense of achievement. But even if I hadn't made the cut, I would have felt great that I got this far with no support.

Most romantic films these days have intimate scenes, but Tum Bin 2 seems to be an exception...
We've not gone into intimacy. Anubhav sir has retained a sense of old-school romance. Passion can be expressed without getting intimate, your eyes can say it all. There was a lot of potential for intimacy in this film, but he chose not to tap into it.

Did you ever dig into your personal space while emoting on screen?
I'm trying to work out my relationship with someone. There have been heartbreaks and, as a person, I am emotional and sensitive. I break down when I'm terribly hurt. All those experiences helped me relate to my role.

On the personal front, what went wrong with your relationship?
It died out. It was a long-distance relationship, and she couldn't understand my struggle and my career. But we're still in touch and I hope that we'll end up together.

Fifteen years after his surprise hit, Tum Bin, Bhushan Kumar is all set to take the franchise forward with Anubhav Sinha returning as director. He is also the writer and is jointly pro ducing the film with Bhushan. Tum Bin 2 rolls in Glasgow on April 4 with Aditya Seal, Aashim Gulati and Neha Sharma in the lead.

Neha, who made her Bollywood debut with Mohit Suri's Crook, was more recently seen in Youngistaan and Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum. Aditya Seal's last screen appearance was the 2014 coming-of-age drama, Purani Jeans, but he is better remembered as the 15-year-old adolescent of Shashilal K Nair's controversial Ek Chhotisi Love Story who weaves fantasies around his next-door neighbour Manisha Koirala. Aashim has appeared in a few TV shows but this will be his big parda introduction.

“While a Dus could not have been made with newcomers, Tum Bin 2 can't have stars with established images. We decided on these three after seeing 1,500 screen tests. Even the supporting cast are fantastic talents but not big names, the brand is the biggest star. None of the original cast, including Priyanshu Chatterjee, Himanshu Malik, Raqesh Vashisth or Sandali Sinha will be back,“ informs Anubhav, speaking to Mirror from London where he is enjoying a much-needed two-day break before he flies off to Glasgow today.

He describes the film as an intense love story in the same genre as the original but not a sequel. It will be filmed in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Anubhav plans to wrap up the shoot by May-end and then get into post-production, keeping the November 18 release date in mind.

Prod him on why it took so long to take Tum Bin forward and Anubhav admits that he wasn't aware of the power of the franchise and didn't take the idea of a Part 2 seriously initially. When he did, he had to figure out how to go ahead without disappointing its huge fan following. Realising that Nikhil-Vinay's chartbusters, including the title track, the Jagjit Singh ghazal “Koi Fariyaad“, “Chhoti Choti Raatein“ and “Tumhare Siva“ are still ever green, Bhushan and he have signed on Ankit Tiwari as the music director. “This is the first time that Ankit will be composing the entire score for an album. He will also be singing some of the tracks himself. The lyrics are by Manoj Muntashir with one song penned by Shakeel Azmi,“ says Anubahv, confident he's already scored with Round 1.