Actor Anuj Thakur has bagged the lead role in Big Magic’s Love Dosti Dua replacing actor Shashank Sethi. For Anuj, this is a fresh beginning, after going through a lull period where he was troubled by earlier controversies. Well, Anuj who rose to fame as the main lead of Imagine’s Beend Banoonga Ghodi Chadhunga was soon replaced from the show and was given the tag of being a ‘trouble-maker’. Naman Shaw stepped into the lead’s shoes then. And this tag remained with Anuj for a long time, and the young lad found it tough to make his mark again. Says Anuj, “Yes, I have seen a bad phase in totality. I was offered quite a lot of shows, and used to even get short listed. But when it came to choosing the final one, the other actor would always get the nod as I held the tag of being a tantrum thrower. When I was replaced in Beend, I do not know what exactly happened. There were a lot of reasons, and honestly speaking, I realize that I had to be calmer and composed when I had the show in hand. Probably, I did throw an attitude which went against me. But over the time, I have become a better individual with this learning. Though I had got to play the lead in Rab Se Sohna Ishq for a brief phase post its leap, the show did not last long. And I was determined to get back to TV as lead.” So this lead role in Love Dosti Dua does mean a lot to you? “Indeed. I am back as the lead and I have a point to prove to myself and also to others. My only aim is to do good work and showcase my acting credentials,” explains the young lad. Talking on his role in the Big Productions’ show, Anuj states, “Frankly speaking, this is like a Season 3 of Love Dosti Dua. From tonight’s episode, it is like a fresh season, and to get in as lead from tonight will only mean that I am getting into a new show. Also, Big Magic as a channel is changing strategies. From being a GEC, they are changing over to be called LEC (light-hearted entertainment channel). This will only mean that the drama quotient in the show will be taken over by humour and comedy in the tracks. Also, the character of Shiv who was shown to be more of a serious guy, will now see a sea-change. Shiv will be seen as a fun-loving guy who is flirtatious in nature.” Anuj, life is a learning curve and we do hope you get your share of success!!