There are actors and then there are performers. The difference is immense, especially on TV, our actors rarely perform. Today if one has to see actors emote or perform- it's only in the comic segment. Be it Purvi Joshi's Hema Malini act or Filmy's comic take on KBC as Kaun Banega Champu or Suresh Menon doing his classic gay act. However most of these actors refuse to be a part of the run-off -the mill soaps, for them a creative space is of greater importance than a pay packet provided by a daily soap. However with the TRP reining the destiny of shows, most of then go off air in no time: be it Sajid Khan's Half Hour -Laugh Hour or Star One's The Comedy Show Ha Ha Ha We at Telly Chakkar spoke to one such actor who transgressed from the soap industry to 'just enjoy work': The funny Nandu of Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi - Gaurav Gera. He avers, "I prefer comedy, I think it's easier, for me." Is the genre not supposed to be the most challenging? "Yes, however I am basically a happy guy and comedy offers me a lot of scope to essay different roles." Nandu was comic as well? "Yes, he was a typical character with certain characteristics; one had no scope to go beyond them. Characters like Nandu get very monotonous over the period of time. Whereas The Comedy Show Ha Ha Ha is more satisfying. That's one reason I never felt the urge to do something else." Most comedians earn a good share of their livelihood by doing stage shows or public performances, wasn't Gaurav inclined to do something similar? "I was very creatively satisfied, stage shows are interesting but I never gave it much thought." With a fabulous show like The Comedy Show… going off air, what is he going to do? "I am upset that the plugs have been pulled as nothing that else that I do next will give me so much satisfaction. I will miss the whole team of actors, writers, directors. Contioloe as a production house was brilliant in terms of production values, concepts and understanding their actors." Gaurav believes in, "Work less and get paid more. I do bits of comic acts that not only satisfy me but also give me a good packet to take home. I don't want to be over exposed and don't want to be rushed through life, missing my youth. That apparently is one reason at a subconscious level why I won't take up a main lead: I simply can't work for 30 days!" Now here is one actor who isn't in a fray for a lead role! Hmmm… now that's different!