Bollywood's fine actor, Sushant Singh, who is busy with in Ram Gopal Varma's remake of Sholay (where he plays Sambha), is also finding a footing for himself on television. With Sony's Virrudh, he is all set to kick off his full-fledged small screen innings. This rather stern looking actor plays an investigative reporter, and will also be seen romancing Smriti Irani, the lead protagonist of the show.

"Currently, I've more than five films up my sleeves. But somehow, Virrudh has a well defined male protagonist in it, which I why I decided to take up this offer. Unlike other TV dramas, here the story moves ahead and the conflict is about basic beliefs in life, rather than because of petty fights," says Sushant.

So how difficult has it been to romance Smrit Irani on screen? Gushing enthusiastically, the suave actor says, "Oh, very difficult, to begin with. I was a bit stiff initially. But what worked in my favour is the fact that I am not aware of her Tulsi image. Simply because I don't watch too much of television. Since, I am not a mushy person, I was nervous of enacting the romantic scenes with her. But over a period of time, I think I will pass with distinction."

On the small screen, he has done some episodic work for Bhanwar and Agnichakra. Recalling his past work on the small screen, he says, "In the past, I had done some stupid things on TV just for money. I thought nobody will notice it. But then someone happened to call up my dad and told them about my role. That's when I had decided never to do anything for money. In the regular soaps these days, every bride is committed to finish her in laws. Every third episode you have a new husband; now where do these things happen."

True to his real life image, in Virrudh, Sushant plays an intense character - a reporter who goes to any length to cover the truth. He gets thrown out of 15 publications as he's looking for transparency in his relationships: personal as well as professional.

"I love to essay intense character, be it positive or negative. Smriti had earlier approached me for Thodi Si Zameen for a cameo, but things didn't work out, Now, since she's trying to do something different on TV, I was inspired to take up this show. In any case, there's so much untruth around. Even your parents lie to you in life. I guess, we'll be able to portray the kind of society we live in."

As far as his film career goes, Sushant is currently busy shooting for Pradeep Sarkar's Laga Chunari and another Telugu film.