Ashmit Patel

NAZAR is Ashmit's third film with the Vishesh Films banner, after the non-descript INTEHA and the super-hit MURDER. In the film, Ashmit plays the role of a senior police officer whose expertise lies in chasing serial killers. "The film has some very interesting action scenes that I am doing and I eagerly looking forward to its release," he says, adding that he'd be game for working with Mahesh Bhatt in any number of films. "He's a legend in his own right and his banner is like a home production to me. I consider it a privilege to have worked with him in three films. Moreover, I cannot forget the fact that my first jubilee film has also been from the Vishesh Films banner," he says. 

Ironically enough, though Ashmit is proud of the fact that MURDER was a jubilee film, it was Emraan Hashmi who got away with all the kudos for the success of the film. Does he regret it? "Not in the least. I knew what to expect from MURDER when I signed it. I quite enjoyed its success. Likewise I am expecting NAZAR to become a big box-office success," he says.

Ashmit is all appreciation for his co-star Meera. "What I liked about her is her very humble and down-to-earth nature, despite the fact that she is a very senior actress in Pakistan.  It was like learning the ropes of acting together. It was definitely a great cultural exchange," he recalls.

Besides NAZAR, another film that he is very excited about is Pankaj Parashar's BENARES.  "It is a spiritual, philosophical and mystical love story set against the backdrop of Benares. I have fallen completely in love with Benares ever since I shot for the film there," he recalls animatedly. In fact, several stories have been doing the rounds about how Ashmit spent hours visiting all the temples in Benares, performing pujas and offering prayers. "Actually I have developed a major connection with the place. I am not a very religious person but I was so fascinated by the temples there that I was drawn towards them. It was a great spiritual experience by itself. I am completely in love with Benares. I have a major connection with the place," he says.

Another story about him that made news was about his drunken escapade in Benares when producer-director Pankuj Parashar and the unit ganged up on him to give him a dose of bhang on the sets of the film. "That was the last shot in the film, where I was supposed to drink thandai with a bunch of dancers. The unit played a practical joke by adding a bit too much but honestly it didn't quite have an effect on me," he laughs, adding that he has struck a great rapport with Pankuj Parashar, ever since the film began, "He's become my favorite director. I call him 'Rock star'. He's young at heart, has got a great sense of humor and is always full of jokes," he enthuses. 
 
Besides BENARES, Ashmit will be seen in the Rekha-Mahima starrer, KUDIO KA HAI ZAMANA. He's also doing a cameo in one of the three stories of Khalid Mohammed's SILSIILAY. "It is a very brief but hard-hitting role with brilliant cinematography by Santosh Sivan," he says. There's also NIGHT CLUB, where he will be seen playing a negative character for the first time.

There is a feeling that unlike his counterparts who have played up on their achievements and hogged the centre-stage, he has always been in the background, not quite getting his due. What does he think of it? "I have no complaints about the way my career is going. I am doing good work that is creatively satisfying. I suppose one of the reasons why I am not at the centre-stage is because I don't play up to the media, I am not a media savvy person and I don't have a publicist," he introspects.