Why Sushant is not ‘Virrudh’ TV

The actor asserts that the small screen affords a wider exposure

Why did you opt for TV after all these years?
Unlike other soaps, ‘Virrudh’ (Star Plus) didn’t demand a major chunk of my time, which leaves me time to pursue good cinema. Also, today I am in a position where my directors are ready to adjust their shooting schedules for me. Above all, television as a medium gives more exposure with better recall value. 

How do you plan to create a niche amidst the female-oriented serials?
It is true that television today is primarily female oriented. But ‘Virrudh’ (Sushant plays Smriti Z Iraani’s love interest) wishes to target male viewers at prime time. So creating a niche won’t be a problem. 

You’ve taken long to establish yourself as an actor.
Anyone who enters the industry needs time to understand the functioning of this industry. I lacked the business sense required to survive here. It took me almost a decade to learn and make my place, if not as a star definitely as an actor.

Do you miss playing the protagonist in your movies?
At times yes! A lot of things change when you are the protagonist of the story. You are treated like ‘the man’ on the sets. It also instils a lot of confidence in you as an actor and that shows in your performance. I miss playing the protagonist just for that confidence.

You have been playing a cop or an army man often. Is it a choice or coincidence?
It’s a mere coincidence that I have been playing these roles. It’s only now when people are pointing this out that I have come to realise this fact. I have no intentions of replacing the veteran Jagdish Raj as the cop.