Unlike many actors who begin their journey in the industry as assistant directors or models, Delhi lad Manish Paul had never imagined that he would become an actor some day. He was content tickling the funny bone, hosting shows, live and on television. Only after he packed his bags and moved to Mumbai, did he set his mind to foray into acting. When he got bored of television serials, he quit and sat at home for a year, hoping for something better. Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa proved to be a turning point, as the dance reality show not only got him opportunities to host award ceremonies and shows, but also gave him a break in Bollywood with Mickey Virus. As he gears up for his next release, Tere Bin Laden: Dead Or Alive, this Friday, we catch up with the actor at a suburban club over a cuppa coffee for a free-wheeling chat.

We heard that you had to convince director Abhishek Sharma to cast you in this film.
Yes, I got this project in a filmi style. I was supposed to meet Abhishek for a small role in another movie, Sharmaji Ka Atom Bomb. I missed it as my manager didn't inform me. Naturally, as a director he was angry and called to blast me for not turning up for the audition. I apologised to him and went to meet him the next day. He looked at me in a peculiar manner and said, 'Today you go. You don't do this film'. I apologised to him profusely and he said, 'You do the lead in my next film'. He gave me the script and asked me to meet him after a day for an audition. Usually, I get nervous for auditions, but we had such a wonderful interaction that it went on for four hours.

Your kiss with Sikandar Kher has made headlines.
Ha, ha, ha! It's not a kiss, it's just a gimmick. Sikandar and I had such a great time shooting for the film and promoting it. We didn't lip-lock, we just cheated. At a promotional event, a journo was pestering us with questions on whether we would play gay or bisexual characters. We were too exhausted with all the promotions; so we just impromptu decided to give it back to that journalist.

Back home, what did your wife Sanyukta have to say about it?
Touchwood, I'm blessed with a wife who has a good sense of humour. I credit her for the important role she has played in my life that helped me reach here today. Also, I'm in a profession in which I have to make people happy. How can I do that if my family isn't happy?

Going back to where you started from...your family is associated with finance, how did you venture into entertainment?
My dad is a chartered accountant and my brother is a financial advisor. But I've been filmi since childhood. I was a big Amitabh Bachchan fan since I was seven years old, and I remember that once I didn't step outside until I got my mother to write 'Mard' on my chest. In school too, I'd participate in dramatics, elocution and singing competitions. It all started when I got a job in a multi-brand department store where I'd make announcements. A multiplex guy offered me to host film premieres at their properties in Delhi. I quoted Rs 1,500 per event, so when he said that they have four events a month, I felt like I had settled. Though some relatives would run me down, my parents always sup ported me. That's how I later bagged a TV show that set me on the path to this industry.

Didn't you ever think of enrolling into an acting school?
I believe that learning on the job teaches you more than a drama school. As for theatre, I did a play called Bade Bhai Sahab, originally written by Munshi Premchand. I got only Rs 600 after working on the play for a month and a half, after that I didn't want to pursue theatre. While newcomers try to grab as much work as possible, you are taking time to choose your films. I didn't get too many interesting offers. I was being offered the part of the hero's friend or brother, which I didn't want to do. Though I won the Best Debut award for Mickey Virus at some award shows, and I also share good rapport with Karan Johar, people wondered why I'm not working with him. I told them that if Karan felt I suited a role in any of his productions, he will cast me. Tere Bin Laden: Dead Or Alive got delayed a bit, but the buzz has boosted our confidence. I have the Katha remake coming up, in which I reprise Farooque Shaikh saab's role. It's such an interesting character that I didn't need to listen to the script. If a good role comes my way, I'll do it irrespective of the banner backing it.

Do you feel stereotyped with your image that comes with comedy?
Stereotype is a term that is overused in the industry. When I came to Mumbai, no one knew I could do this. Now people are telling me, 'Comedy bahut ho gayi. Let's do something different.' Contrary to popular belief, comedy is not an easy task. Besides, I've just begun a new film, Baa Baa Black Sheep, with Anupam Kher. It's a father-son story, but I play a sharpshooter in it.

While outside people expect you to make them laugh, did you win Sanyukta's heart with your humour as well?
I know her since kindergarten. I used to flirt a lot in school and even tell her about it. She would say that I'm a cheap guy. She's been with me through out, from doing my school homework while I played with my friends to lending me her father's shirts and perfumes. One day I expressed my feelings for her, and she turned around and told me that,' Dosti kharaab ho jayegi', but I was persistent. I was in 12th grade when we started dating. After years of courtship, I popped the question. At first, she had reservations as I was still trying to sort out my career. She suggested that while I moved to Mumbai, she would stay back in Delhi. I was adamant about living together after marriage. Later, when I stopped doing TV and had no work for a year, she ran the house, while I did the washing, cooking, et al. We have been friends before we started dating and we continue to remain so. She is my toughest critic. Sanyukta and my brother, Vivek, keep me grounded.

What did she say about your link-ups, like with Elli Avram during Mickey Virus?
That was the first time I kissed on screen. Sanyukta didn't take it too well. She said that was a little too much. I explained to her that it was a part of the script. There was uneasiness at home initially, but it eased out after a couple of days. She knows I'm not into all these things. I'm happily married and go back to my life after work.

You have a five-year-old daughter, Saisha. Tell us about the kind of father you are.
I'm a very doting father. I ensure that I take my family for two vacations, one in summer and the other at the end of the year. We haven't told Saisha about what I exactly do, though she sees me on TV. When she asks me why people want to click selfies with me, I tell her it's because I'm her father. We're trying to give her a normal life, instead of giving her an idea ki woh actor ki beti hai.

How has your 10-year journey in Mumbai been?
I complete a decade in the city on September 12. I came with just two suitcases and stayed with my maternal grandparents in Chembur. I walked every day to the domestic airport, that was about 14 kilometers away. I used to pack a bag, which I still have and call it my struggle bag, with one pack of biscuits and a mango drink and walk. Then, I would take a bus to Andheri. From those days to where I am today, I think it has been a great journey. It feels good when people tell me that they like my work. It's nice when grannies recognise me at airports and signal me to come and meet them.

How much of your humour on screen is scripted?
I believe in on the spot humour. I have a very good writer who gives me pointers. So mostly whatever you have seen on stage, like the kind of masti I have done with Karan Johar or Madhuri Dixit, is not written.

You have been an RJ, VJ and actor. What are you most comfortable with?
I am an entertainer and comfortable with everything. Many have asked me what I would have been if not an actor.I don't know! All I know is that I would have put my best into whatever I do.

Who do you think is the best host?
I like what Amitabh Bachchan sir does. I had hosted a KBC episode with him, and I was amazed at how he reads from the prompters and suddenly takes off, talks to audience and has fun with them. It is important to keep the audience inter ested and he does it brilliantly. I also enjoyed working with Shah Rukh sir. Before every show that we do, we meet in the vanity, read the script once and go on stage and take pointers. So even if I crack a joke at him, he takes it very sportingly and then cracks one right back on me.

There's been a long gap since your first film...
Yes, but I have not become as big an actor that I can decide the release dates of my films. I often joke that I should block Nag Panchami for release of my films. Tere Bin Laden 2 is ready now. The film requires a lot of CG, and we also redid the film a bit as the director felt it was not up to the mark. Thankfully, it has come out well and we are really happy!

Tell us about some crazy fan experiences.
There is this fan in Delhi who has got the same tattoo as mine. She told me that she is not getting married and that she's told her family she wants some one like me. She knows everything about me and it's almost scary. But she tells me that I need not worry as she is not going to trouble me. There was another girl in Bengaluru, who kept sliding letters below my door throughout the night. She left only after I wrote to her, telling her that I have got all her letters and that I would really like to sleep.

Any message for your fans on Follo?
One message to all my fans - 'Follo' me! On a serious note, I tell everybody that I came to Mumbai with nothing but my work. If someone asks me to sweep the floor, I will do it better than anyone else. Have faith in yourself and do your best.