Originally from Jabalpur MP, Giriraj moved to Mumbai 7 years ago. Since then, the actor has managed to create a foothold in the industry by playing prominent characters on television. But his dream of acting in films only came true after he bagged the role of Ballvinder Singh in debutant director Shashi Pritam’s upcoming film Kirkat. He says, “I got the film on the recommendation of a friend and the entire experience has been simply amazing. Shashi is not like any typical director; his ideas are fresh and spontaneous. I really admire his work ethics and his impulsiveness.”

Kirkit revolves around the gross commercialisation of cricket. It narrates how street kids have taken to playing cricket due to exposure to IPL and other leagues that involve quick cricket, day in and night out. Giriraj plays Ballvinder Singh (ballu) from ‘Mumbai Vadapavs’, who is a daredevil when in a group, but dreadfully scared of fighting alone.

Giriraj shares space with Jackie Shroff, Sanjay Kapoor and Gulshan Grover in the film. He talks of costar Shroff, saying, “Jackie Shroff is the most down-to-earth and caring person I’ve ever met. I remember between shots he used to sit with us on the floor when he could have been sitting in his vanity car. He’d also worry about our health as it was freezing cold on the sets. He had no starry airs and I learnt from him that no matter how big a star you become, one must have his head on his shoulders.”

So how was life before making it in Mumbai? “Mumbai is a city of dreams, it gives you everything you want but takes away everything you have too. It’s been 7 years since I’ve been here and I miss my family, friends and life back in Jabalpur. There are some sacrifices that you have to make and my journey has been nothing but struggle. Still, life has changed for the better and I couldn’t be happier,” says Giriraj.

The film’s shooting has wrapped up and it will release mid-June.

Birth date: August 2, 1980

Interests: I’m very passionate about singing. I play 16 musical instruments and have sung in orchestras and bands.

When did the acting bug bite? I was five when I first saw Dharmendra fighting onscreen and told my father I want to be a hero. He, however, laughed it off. At 10, I told him again and he told me to concentrate on my studies. At 16, he told me go to college and at 20, I told him I’m going to Bombay to become a hero! And, here I am today.

Favourite actor: Undoubtedly, Shah Rukh Khan, he is the ultimate actor and no one beats him when it comes to romance, action or comedy.

Favourite actress: Kareena Kapoor, after Jab We Met, nobody other than her features on my favourite actress list. She showed the world her versatility as an actress in both, Jab We Met and Omkara.

Favourite film: Jab We Met, I have watched it 27 times in all and I wouldn’t mind watching it again.

Favourite genre of film: I want to be a commercial actor. It’s not that I do not admire art house films, but I won’t deny that I want the name and fame that commercial cinema provides. So, first the name and fame and then the money.

A role you would like to reprise: I don’t know about that but yes, if they made Don 3, I would love to play Don. I don’t have anything against Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan, both were amazing, but I feel there is a lot I can offer to the role as well.

Best dialogue: ‘Kitne Aadmi The’. I would have also loved to have said the dialogue from Deewar, “Tum Khush toh hoge, meri Ma mujhe waapas kar do”.

Did you attend an acting school? Yes I did, I attended Roshan Taneja’s acting school which was a basic platform for me. I learnt there that no one can make you a diamond but you definitely get polished along the way.

Preconceived notions of the film industry: I came to Bombay with an open mind. Also, a person cannot make you do something against your own will. Adaptability doesn’t mean anybody forcing something on to you. You have the sense, so use it.

If not an actor: I’m a Marwadi and if I wasn’t an actor I would have been a typical businessman. So you would have definitely seen a ‘Giriraj Constructions’ or a ‘Giriraj and sons’ company around.