Sandeep Anand: I wanted to quit FIR post the leap

Sandeep Anand who is currently seen as Billu in SAB TV’s FIR (Edit II Productions) was initially not inclined to being part of the 20 year leap. But today, he is very much a part of the show and is happy to play a 46 year old at the age of 26. So what is it that brought in this sudden change? Sandeep is known to make a difference when it comes to performing, be it on stage or on-screen. This is also one of the reasons why his role in UTV’s Sun Yaar Chill Maar was appreciated by one and all. And the actor never backs out when it comes to performing, but the 20 year leap of FIR did come as a shocker for him as he tells us, “I am 26, so when I got to know about the 20 year leap I knew I will have to play a 46 year old man on-screen and I was not ready for it. Hence, I went up to my producers and told them that I am quitting the show. But they wanted some time till they found someone suitable for the role. However, they could not find one and I decided to stay back. After all, they had made me a permanent character on the show.” The actor had been doing cameos on FIR for a very long time, but exactly when he was to quit the show, he got an incentive as his character was made permanent. “Yes, it did come as a surprise for me as I used to do a lot of cameo roles for FIR and after a while I was just too tired of it. Hence, I told my director (Shashank Bali) that I want to quit the show. I made a mention that my role was not permanent too. As soon as I said this, to my surprise they made my character permanent.” So, is the actor happy now playing an older man? “I did not want to work post leap but when I agreed to do it, I wanted to play it well. I am not a big star to say I would want my hair to stay black at 46. In fact the creatives did tell me that I could stay the way I was before the leap. But I did not want to cheat the character I am playing and opted for grey hair.” On his plans for the future, Sandeep avers, “I am a moody actor, so I will take whatever comes my way. It does not matter if I am doing TV, films or theater. It’s just that the role I am playing should be convincing enough.” Way to go, Sandeep!!!