You are also working on two scripts -- what are they about?
I am writing a story called Hum Duno for Ravi Chopra which is about the irreconcilable nature of Hinduism and Islam and yet the inevitability of their co-existing in India. The theme is that we have to learn to co-exist. Disha for Cinevista is a travelogue. It's the discovery of a soul who's going to die. I might direct it too.

So is it quits as far as acting is concerned?
Oh no! Acting will remain as it's been very enjoyable and satisfying. Acting is in my blood and it is my legacy. Who knows I might flop as a director but acting has kept me in good shape. I believe acting is my destiny.

What in the film Pakda Gaya Par Kaun about?
It's a 35 mm film with a duration of forty minutes that I have made for Children's Film Society. It's based on an actual story which took place in our house. Way back, an animal broke into our house and we tried to get rid of it but couldn't and slowly we realised that it had become a part of our family. My mother has written the script.

How do you manage your time between direction and acting?
The best part of television is that even if you have five to seven serials on hand, it leaves you with a lot of spare time. Because these days one episode is shot in a day. So my acting takes about a fortnight.

Why aren't you acting in films these days?
I have never been comfortable with commercial cinema. I actually don't care for it. There are a lot of internal politics in the industry which I fail to understand. It is not in my nature. I don't watch these films too, neither do I allow my kids to, unless it's extraordinary like the films of Govind Nihalani or Shyam Benegal.

Of all the serials that you're doing currently which one do you enjoy most?
I am enjoying all of them. I don't take up a role unless it appeals to me and I enjoy doing it. Luckily, all my roles are different so it's fun. And on television if you want to quit it is so easy: all the director has to do is show your photo with a garland on it!

You have have been around for three decades what changes have you seen?
Art does not progress the way science does. It does not improve or become worse. The basic change I notice is that it has become completely commercial. In India television is relatively new, just about 15 years old. Television is not an art form, but a pass time. The relevance is not in soaps but in news, documentaries and sports. And as an actor television ruins you. It's like a one night stand. These days quantity is important unfortunately and not quality.

What has been your philosophy in life?
Be good and do good, never give in, learn to live and live to learn. These have been my mottos. My basic philosophy of life is the philosophy of love. If you want to be a complete man you should have the capacity to love with soul and might and negate yourself without any ego. I have learnt all this from my father.

Okay, one last thing -- share with us, the secret of your physical and mental agility?
(Laughs) I studied in Lawerence School, Sanawar, which was a military school in Simla. Before that I was in Shivaji military school in Pune. Then I was in Russia, a military country. So I have acquired the habit of exercising regularly. If I don't, I feel sick. Even today I blow a bugle at 5.30 am in the morning and my neighbours complain. I have a punching bag and my weights. But now I have realised that I have overdone it and busted my system.