Riteish takes a break to focus on architectural firm

Mumbai, Sep 16 (IANS) After delivering two hits in a row, Riteish Deshmukh isn't signing any films because he wants to pay attention to his architectural firm.

'I've decided to take a three-month sabbatical from work. I'll be back shooting in November for Sujoy Ghosh's 'Alladdin',' Riteish, who has a degree in architecture, told IANS.

'Currently, I'm paying some attention to my architectural firm that's been neglected for a while. The only film I have on the anvil is E. Niwas' 'De Taali'. My architectural business is completely removed from my film career. I don't take my other profession on the sets,' he added.

The quiet achiever is currently basking in the back-to-back success of 'Heyy Babyy' and 'Dhamaal'.

Commenting on his two consecutive successes, he said: 'I never expected anything when I started out. I just chose the roles that came my way. Today, if I've carved a modest niche for myself I hope to carve a door. That can't happen if I do repetitive roles.'

When he returns after the break, he will finally have a film where he plays the title role. But the actor rightly sounds a word of caution.

'I may be playing 'Alladin'. But let's not forget, Amitabh Bachchan is playing the djinn. And he's there in almost every frame of the narrative. When Bachchan is around, nobody looks at anyone else on the screen. But just the thought of sharing screen space with him gives me the biggest kick.'

Another exciting role coming up is the sequel to 'Dhamaal'. Riteish and the rest of the 'Dhamaal' gang are all set to encore their roles.

'Who knows?' chuckled Riteish. 'This time we may go abroad for 'Dhamaal 2'.'

'The making of the sequel wasn't prompted by the success of 'Dhamaal'. Even before its release our producer Ashok Thakeria and director Indra Kumar had decided to do a sequel.'

Though he is happy with the success of the two films, he refuses to badmouth 'Cash' and its director Anubhav Sinha, as some other members of the cast have done. 'Sometimes a film works, sometimes it doesn't. No need to disown it.'

The actor is also busy toning up his physique for his role in 'Alladin'.