Nivin Pauly

Acting is strenuous, both physically and mentally. But if you are passionate about it, nothing can be more exciting than acting.

Honestly, I always wanted to be a star. It's a dream.

As a youngster, when I was active in church, I had a lot of fun choosing and hanging massive stars and making the cribs. I was also very involved in the Christmas plays, though not as an actor, but I took joy in setting up the props.

I don't plan or schedule my career thinking first I will play a common man, then a police officer, then a superhero. I love good scripts, and I don't care if I play the main part in it or not. I want to be a part of good films. That's my dream... 'Jacobinte Swargarajyam' was that film for me.

If a film becomes successful, the actor is blamed for being commercial and not having a true love for movies. When we do serious films, we will be blamed for not planning our career properly. I believe that what one should do is to make good cinema and try to make it successful.

I am, by nature, pretty reserved. It was after I became an actor that I started interacting more with people from different walks of life!

I don't do many films at the same time, as I don't like to switch between characters. At a given point, I would like to get into the skin of whatever character I am playing.

When I choose a role, I look for that spark that tells me it's going to work. Is the role fresh? What does it have for the actor in me? Those are the only things any actor should be concerned about, really.

Like any other actor, I want to work with good directors, and I always look for good scripts. I've had to say no to some people; I suspect that's the reason I'm called arrogant.

I always start my New Year at church with my family. I see it as a fresh beginning - like a new chance we get to renew our lives, perhaps? Starting it by praying gives me a lot of hope for the future.