I fled my home town and did odd jobs, including things like re-designing old furniture, before I became an actor. Having said that, I don't think the story of my life is in any way remarkable. What is remarkable is how acting opportunities have come my way.

I started working in an STD phone booth where I had to note down all the numbers that were dialed - this was post 9/11 when security was a looming issue. I got Rs 10 per day for my work. Soon after, a benefactor offered me a job in a cybercafe down the road for Rs 20.

There is never going to be an end point. But definitely, I am happy to complete a certain part of my journey, and that's something I want to celebrate.

Accomplishments are very subjective.

I don't think at any age I will be able to feel totally accomplished.

I just followed my gut feeling when I went to Hyderabad in 2008.

Just like how you find players from different backgrounds in Indian cricket team, our Telugu industry is looking for talent, and it doesn't matter where it comes from.

There's a misconception that actors with no background don't get any exposure from big production houses. I think people should start rethinking about it.

I've learnt that there's absolutely no difference in Telugu and Hindi industries. Everything is almost identical. The only difference is that Hindi films have a wider release.

I'm happy that I could learn many things before entering Bollywood in 2015.

I took my time to learn the craft and procedure. I wanted to do some substantial work first in cinema.

The idea of meeting my former girlfriend's current boyfriend seemed insane and absolutely bizarre to me in the beginning. But I am glad I gave it a shot!

I must confess that I was not always the perfect boyfriend.

I often end up travelling in my Jeep for long distance road trips.

I love travelling and exploring different places in India and around the world.

For me, there's one film at a time, and my only benchmark is that my current film should be better than my last one, and I've made sure of that. If you Google the trailer of my first film - which I request you not to - you'll see the vast change in my approach towards my profession and the slow gain of maturity in performing.

I had to go on the strict caveman diet where you eat only vegetables, chicken, and egg whites. This diet in many ways sounds right to me, and it has worked wonderfully.

My father looked like this serious guy but was actually a very kind person.

I strongly believe that when you are cast in a role, there will be similarity in the character and you - why else would you be chosen for the character?

I was distributing DVDs in Mumbai in 2006, and that is when I got my first TV show offer - 'Left Right Left.'

I ran away from my home in Gwalior and bought myself a ticket to Delhi. That was the nearest metro, and the cheapest ticket was for Rs 74.

'Satra Ko Shaadi Hai' is a very sweet film. It was the first film that I shot. I play a shy small town boy in it, which is an absolute contrast to what I played in 'Sanam Teri Kasam.'

As an actor, all I can keep my focus on is that I am a part of good projects.

I love to put myself in a situation where I get to break a few things and construct a few cells in me.