He has shed his famous cap, got rid of the nasal twang in his voice and now wants to prove to the world with his film “Radio” that he’s a good actor. Himesh Reshammiya, who has sung and composed numerous hit songs, says acting is his only passion at the moment.

“Right now my passion is acting because I want to prove myself. Even after doing two films, one of which was such a big hit (’Aap Kaa Surroor’), a lot of people still say ‘why is he getting into acting when he has such a successful career in music?’,” Himesh told IANS in an interview.

“People had same perception when I turned singer from composer. So I have to prove it yet again that I can do it and do it well…even though I have an unconventional face,” he said.

Himesh’s “Karzzz” sank without a trace at the box office and he says everyone except his parents criticised him for facing the camera.

“A lot of people in my own family feel that I shouldn’t have got into acting. Not my parents, but my uncles and aunts feel this way. But I know I have it in me and I will prove it,” Himesh said.

The composer-singer-actor was in the capital at the Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM studios to promote his forthcoming film “Radio”.

Himesh Reshammiya, who was last seen in the box office dud Karzzzz, has now started attending acting workshops before beginning to shoot for his films. The composer-turned-singer-turned-actor says he is doing so to grasp the essence of his character and perform with ease.

"Yes, the character of Vivan that I play in Radio is such that I thought of doing some serious workshops with theatre actors. I’m feeling on top of the world to perform in front of the camera now. The workshop has helped me loosen up further," said Reshammiya who debuted as an actor with Aap Ka Surroor.

In Radio, Reshammiya plays a radio jockey. To be produced by Ravi Agarwal, Radio would be directed by Isshaan Trivedi, who made 7 1/2 Phere with Irrfan Khan and Juhi Chawla four years back and is ready with Jimmy Sheirgill-Arbaaz Khan-Nauheed Cyrusi starrer Bachelor Party.

This is not the first time though that Reshammiya has indulged in attending a workshop. Even for Studio 18′s Ishk Unplugged, which is directed by Swapna Joshi, he had attended a workshop before actual shoot.

"Henceforth, I will be doing workshops for every film, like I did for Ishk Unplugged and the one I’m doing for Radio. I have completed the shooting of Ishk Unplugged in a 65 day nonstop schedule and now realise how much the workshops have helped," said Reshammiya.

A source close to Reshammiya added: "Isshaan is giving a realistic touch to Radio which is basically a romantic comedy. Since the film doesn’t require any pretence, Himesh was sure that he wanted to be a part of some serious workshops. He is dead serious about his career as an actor and is giving it his all to get his future films going."

The nasal tone composer cum singer cum actor along with his newly acquired silky hair is also flaunting something else- his newfound friend Sangeeta Ghosh (only friendship-lets wait and watch). Himesh was snapped dining with Sangeeta at a suburban nightspot.

Himesh has completely transformed himself for his role in Karrz. He has lost all that excess flab and has regained his lost hair.

Himesh is married to Komal and has a 10-year-old son named Swayam.

So what exactly was Himesh doing with Pummy?

Himesh Reshammiya’s Hey Gujju, which was supposed to be shelved, is coming back with new title, new director, new subject and new heroine.

Earlier there were reports that Himesh Reshammiya starrer Hey Gujju has been shelved. But today it has different story. It has not been shelved; in fact it’s going on the floors from March 15, with new title, new director, new subject and new heroine.

The new title will be Tere Bina Jiya Nahin Jaye. However director Satish Kaushik and actress Shruti Agrawal are no more part of the film. The script has also changed to a large extent and now it is not based on a life of a Gujarati man. The new director Swapna Joshi is now in search for a new lead actress.

A friend of Himesh said, “Himesh will play a romantic role as Tere Bina Jiya Nahin Jaye is now a contemporary love story. The film will be shot in a start-to-finish schedule. Television director Swapna Joshi who set up the first few episodes of Teen Bahuraniyan will now direct the film as Satish Kaushik is no longer part of the project.”

Himesh’s friend also added, “Himesh has completed 80 per cent of John Matthew’s film. In February, he will start shooting for Aditya Singh’s Mudh Mudh Ke Na Dekh Mudh Mudh Ke and from January 20, he will face the camera for Pooja Bhatt’s stalled film Kajraare. He is also looking forward to Tere Bina Jiya Nahin Jaye.