No more kitchen politics for me: Amarr Upadhyay

New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) He became a household name by playing the character of Mihir in the popular saga 'Kyunki... Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thhi', but television actor Amarr Upadhyay says he is averse to shows that are high on 'kitchen politics'.

'I just don't want to do shows that are monotonous and in the name of content just show kitchen politics. I have done only one saas-bahu show and that is 'Kyunki...'', Amarr told IANS on the telephone from Mumbai.

'I like doing different roles. I don't do anything just for money. I know that I will not grow if I portray the same kind of characters,' he maintained.

Amarr, who has returned to the small screen after two years with NDTV Imagine's serial 'Chaand Ke Paar Chalo', rubbishes reports of his not wanting to do television shows any more.

'It is completely untrue. I never said that I don't want to do television. I just wanted to do shows that I liked, without any pressure. I would rather do fewer shows than do work that does not satisfy me as an actor,' Amarr clarified.

In 'Chaand Ke Paar Chalo', Amarr essays the role of a business tycoon who believes money is his priority and love has no place in his life.

'I'm playing a very strong character in the show. He is a successful and secretive person. It's a brilliant show and has a lot of potential.'

However, the actor feels that the show has not been promoted well.

'I'm upset with the show managers because they did not promote it the way it should have been. It has the potential of lifting the TRPs of the channel, but the channel people don't understand that,' he lamented.

After doing successful soaps like 'Dekh Bhai Dekh', 'Saathiya', 'Kasauti Zindagi Kay', 'Kalash' and 'Viraasat', Amarr moved to the big screen but failed to create a mark. He is associated with forgettable films like 'Dhund' and 'Wah Wah Ram Ji'.

But he hopes his upcoming ventures will click with the audiences.

He will be seen in director Anees Bazmee's 'It's My Life' that also has Harman Baweja, Genelia D'Souza and Nana Patekar. The actor is doing a film with R. Madhavan called '13/B'.

'These are big films that I'm doing and I hope they do well. I also have some good projects in the pipeline but I can't disclose anything about them right now,' Amarr said.

Did he ever regret quitting a popular show like 'Kyunki...'?

'I never regretted leaving the show. I was totally bored doing it. I don't regret any of my professional decisions. I have carefully selected all my shows and films,' Amarr said.