What happens when a two-year-old relationship comes to an end?

Besides a trip to the heartbreak city, the throbbing sound of pain echoes so loud that it drowns the resonance of persistent doorbell and you fail to open the door.

This is what happened to Himanshu Malik, the affable 27-year-old Scorpio, who doesn't hesitate to apologise profusely for making you wait.

The Vimal man who has carved a niche for himself in the modelling world has Yamaha, Pepsi, Cinthol, and Four Square to his credit. The 6' 2" hunk has participated in innumerable fashion shows and now anxiously awaits the release of his debut film, Tum Bin.

He shares his experiences with Darshana Dube:

How did Tum Bin happen?

I expressed a wish to work in the film while doing a music video.

I was called for a screen test -- actually four of them -- and, fortunately, survived all. This is the best thing that has happened to me -- I had had enough of being a model. I was drifting in life.

Now I am anxiously awaiting the release of the film that will hopefully give a direction to my career and life.

Tell us about your role.

I am playing the warm, loving and rich Abhi, in love with a woman and tries to express it in various ways, but finally, doesn't get her.

The film is about these characters who go through an emotional journey to get the people they love. It is the portrayal of what they go through in life without their love and hence the title Tum Bin.

Is the situation similar to your real life experience?

No! I was going around with (model) Cleo. We were living together to get married later. But somehow, things didn't work out and we have parted ways.

Where was Tum Bin shot?

Canada. It was a really cold experience as we shot in minus 23 degrees in our normal attire. But even then, it was a lot of fun as we were focused on doing good work. Everyone was very friendly. No one had any ego hassles. We kept on egging each other to do well.

How did you like doing the dance sequence?

I have two dances in the film. It was a lot of fun, but extremely tough -- physically very draining.

I trained for over a month. Thankfully, it has come out well.

If my dance numbers are a hit, I hope the industry doesn't say 'Nachta accha Hai, to abhi khoob nachate hai!' (since he dances well, we'll make him dance a lot!)

I would love to be like Sanjay Dutt and say, "Bahut ho gaya, itna naach liya ganimat hai." (It's too much. I've danced a lot by God's grace.) I am not so passionate about dancing. It's just a part of my performance.

Tell us about the experience.

Very educative. Today I can say that there is a technical aspect to acting that every performer should be aware of.

Many models feel that half the job is done by looking good and other half in being natural. This way an actor can do only author-backed roles where a script may save him.

For an intricate role, it is necessary to know how to bring out the nuances in a character and make it real. One can learn these things only on the sets, not in an acting academy.

How did you enter the glam world?

After I finished engineering from New Delhi in 1994, I didn't feel like taking up a job. I was considering other options. Then I got this modelling offer that paid well.

Initially, money was the main concern. So I landed up in Bombay as a full time model -- something which I had never even dreamt of.

Someone at Vimal Suitings saw my pictures and I was called to meet Anil Ambani. I got selected for the Vimal ad. After that there was no looking back.

I was also considered for Mira Nair's Kama Sutra but was not cast -- they thought I was too young for the character. So I requested Miraji to let me work behind the camera. After three interviews I was appointed as a production assistant.

What inspired you to be the part of the production unit, where you were serving tea?

I'd do anything to get close to the Hollywood style of making films.

Being a part of this production gave me a worldview of things. I got a fantastic exposure and an opportunity to interact with world-renowned creative people who had worked with artistes like Tom Cruise.

But it was strange -- my ad campaigns were releasing in Bombay then. I would be signing big money deals while serving tea-coffee on the sets of Kama Sutra!

How come you never tried your hand at television serials?

I never felt inspired to do serials, going by the quality on air. I can't relate to them. I don't like to do things about which I am not convinced. That would make me mediocre.

Of course, there are some exciting characters but you have to be lucky to get them. I feel strongly for the films and I hope to work with good film-makers.

And theatre?

Theatre is the best training ground for an actor. I had joined an experimental theatre where we did some really whacky stuff. After that, I felt a lot more confident about my acting abilities.

Any hobbies?

I have a penchant for adventurous sports. I have done a lot of paragliding, flying and scuba diving.

In fact, I started a paragliding school at Manali, with a friend. Unfortunately, we were bad businessmen.

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