Bhanu Uday is currently working in a project directed by a UCLA studentHe may have been in the city for just a year, but Bhanu Uday has already created an identity for himself on the small screen. This Malad resident is a trained theatre actor and has played Aryan, the charismatic leader in Star Ones recently-concluded serial Special Squad.

The actor says he has also worked in a Hollywood film called Searching for Sara. The film has been directed by Nanda Anand and also features Manoj Bajpai and other Hollywood actors like Justin Theroux, Lynn Collins and Kelli Garner.

It was great fun working in the film and is my first major role on the silver screen, he says. The film will be released at end of the year.

However, currently he says he is on a sabbatical. He says, It was a great experience acting in Special Squad and it has set high standards for my next project.

At the moment Im going through scripts and figuring my next move. I want my next project to have an interesting storyline. I guess Im just looking for a challenging role. Bhanu adds he is open to films and TV.

Currently he is acting in a project that is being directed by an intern from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Its not a commercial project and is more of an exercise, he explains.

Originally from Jammu, the 25-year-old says that the acting bug bit him during his school years.

My father, who is an IAS officer, encouraged me to attend an acting workshop in school. We had graduates from the National School of Drama (NSD) performing with us and being in their company motivated me to join NSD. So after completing my HSC from Hansraj College, Delhi, I graduated from NSD and then headed straight to Mumbai.

Though Bhanu has just begun his career he says he is happy with his decisions. I never intended to be an actor but once I realised that I did, I have never considered any other career option. I am absolutely sure of it, he says.

With a background in theatre, what does he find more challenging, the camera or a live performance? Acting in front of a camera is more difficult than performing on stage. In theatre, I have some scope for a little theatrics but on the camera anything affected sticks out like a sore thumb.

Speaking of the future he says, I want to do realistic roles that have depth.

Bhanus favourites
What he likes about the suburb It has a small town feel, which reminds me of Jammu. The people here are unpretentious.
Favourite hangout Inorbit mall

divya.verma@mid-day.com