Nikhil Arya all set to strike back !

Nikkhil Arya, who had created quite a few ripples when he quit Balaji's noon soap, Kesar, is now a happy man essaying negative shades in yet another Balaji primetime soap, Kasturi (Star Plus). "I play a very dapper villain, also called Nikhil. The best part is that you really hate him for he is the epitome of evil. He is a ghar jamia, but even that does not stop him from having a keep (Pooja played by Amita Chandekar) on the sly," says this ex -model and music video artist. This Pune born and bred dude openly admits that the first week of Kasturi was not up to the mark, "but later we all worked hard and managed to bring it up to par. Now the audience is beginning to sympathize with the poor Kasturi ( Praneeta Sahu), who is hired as my secretary just because she is a bad looker and Pooja does not trust me, as I have a wandering eye. My character has many more interesting layers, which will be slowly unraveled as the show progresses." Nikkhil, who was recently seen as Aseem in Kyunki is tired of answering questions on what went wrong with Kesar. "I could not do that show any more as a generation leap was being introduced. Hence I clearly expressed my desire to Ekta that I wished to quit (with a proper notice, et all). The problem surged when the press clubbed my exit with Nandani (Kesar) walkout. She had major issues with Balaji, while my exit was a mutual decision. This really hurt Ekta. Possibly somebody in the production house had played mischief. However as Ekta knew that I had never troubled anyone, she soon offered me a cameo in Kyunki. Unfortunately even that role could not be given a proper end as my dates were clashing with the Kasturi schedule. I would have hoped that this aspect could have been handled better," Arya sighs. He has no regrets of quitting Kesar, "My decision has proved right for the show's TRPs post generation leap have dipped. When I was a part of this project it had reached a peak of 7. Anyways I had done all I could with the character of Rudra, be it a passionate lover, good son, a bad man….all the possible twists and turns that a daily demands. Along with devoting half a month to Kasturi, the actor is looking forward to other avenues as well. "I would love to anchor all kind of shows (musicals, talent hunts, game shows etc.) The current crop of anchors don't seem spontaneous enough. A good anchor is one who gives a written script his own personality and take". Nikkhil is also quite willing to do other fiction shows as well, "but this time around I would like to try my hand at comedy." And the 'right' Bollywood break is also on his wish list, "I would be lying if I would say no," admits this honest dude.