Ashutosh Rana is back to doing what he does best, scaring and scarring unsuspecting young girls! He’s been doing that quite successfully in his films, be it Dushman or Sanghursh and now he will get one shade darker in Kaali Ek Agnipariksha on Star Plus. If you have caught the promos and if you read newspapers (not Page 3) then you would probably know the serial is an inspired take on the Ruchika Girhotra and IGP Rathore case (which of course the makers and the actors are vehemently denying). Rana plays Thakraal, which in his own words, is a man whose strength lies in a unique combination of wealth (dhanbali), power (bahubali), intelligence (buddhibali) and the support of people (janbali). Deciphering Rana’s chaste Hindi is an absolute delight as he describes his screen ego with relish. Twirling his fake moustache, and dilating his bulging eyes (those were probably God’s way of telling him, ‘You shall make use of them only in negative roles’) some more, he says, “You have seen bad men with a good heart like an Amitabh Bachchan in Deewar, Sanjay Dutt in Vaastav or Ajay Devgan in Once Upon A Time In Mumbai’. Thakraal is a positive guy with a bad intention.” The story is about a young badminton player, Rachna who dreams to make it big one day while Thakraal an influential man abuses her sexually. Rana adds that while heroes generally do good for the people, “Thakraal is someone who will help you in your progress but at your cost. He is of help to you as long as you help fuel his intentions. The world is full of such people (read politicians) and there is nothing like a free lunch. We have brought kitchen politics out on the streets, on the crossroads; Kaali will bring the outside politics into the kitchens.” He’s probably covered the entire spectrum of negativity on screen. What newness will he bring to Thakraal? “When I am offered a role, I ask myself if there is anything in it that I have not done before, if it will take me one step ahead as an actor and if there is scope for me to bring something new to the table and if the answer is yes, I take it on.” Actors like Rana may have a great body of work but they also have to wait for long periods for that one elusive role. Isn’t it frustrating sometimes? “It becomes frustrating when not content with your regular car, you dream of a Pajero or a bigger house. When your wants are few and when you resist hard to not get swayed by frustration, then you get a role like Thakraal and everything becomes worth your while.” He adds, “Today the industry thrives on marketing and when an out of market actor like me still gets a role he wants then it’s not all that bad.” Rana refuses to comment on what his actress-wife Renuka Shahane has to say about his latest role. “It’s better, you hear it from her.” Father of two sons, Shauryamaan and Satyendra, he says the couple has consciously kept their boys away from their work. “Let them first get to know me as their father then they will know me better as an actor too,” he smiles. Finally, is he optimistic about the show working considering it’s at 11 pm and not prime time? “Absolutely because we don’t want women to watch it cutting vegetables or while teaching their kids or the men watching it while having dinner! We wanted a time when the kids would be in bed and the family is relaxed enough to see what the show has to offer. I am confident, after Kaali, makers would vie for the 11 pm slot and it will be the new prime time!”