By Joginder Tuteja

Mumbai, Dec 10 (IANS) Himesh Reshammiya is all smiles. His film "Radio" has fetched him some good reviews as an actor, something he has been longing for. The singer-composer-actor says he was confident of his growth as a performer and winning people's hearts.

"I had always maintained that in each of my subsequent films, there would be a growth as an actor. I knew in my heart that I would be able to win over that miniscule percentage of critics and audiences who were in doubt whether Himesh was serious about his acting career. Now, when 'Radio' is fetching me acceptance as an actor, I can confidently say that it is a new beginning for me as a performer," Himesh told IANS in an interview.

"Radio" may not boast of multi crore collections from across the country but Himesh and the makers of the film are undeterred.

"For us, the most important point was to make the film for a niche audience and release it selectively. The profits were always there due to the entire money being recovered from non-theatrical rights. This is why the additional numbers coming in from box office are satisfactory," Himesh said.

Said a trade insider: "The entire cost of 'Radio' has been recovered from music, satellite rights and video rights. All theatrical collections would be a profit."

For "Radio", Himesh had even done away with his trademark cap and got rid of his nasal twang. The movie also stars Sonal Sehgal and Shehnaz Treasurywala.

For Himesh personally, it's his rise as an actor from his debut film "Aap Ka Suroor" in 2007 that he's feeling good about.

"With 'Radio' I was looking at getting into a space different from that of 'Aap Kaa Suroor' and 'Karzzzz'. It was an intentional and well-thought out step since I wanted to work in an experimental set-up and prove myself as an actor.

"My director Ishaan Trivedi, who really helped me by arranging acting workshops for me, did tell me during the making of 'Radio' that there was an added spark to my act. But honestly, even I was pleasantly surprised when there was so much of appreciation from a number of respected critics," he added.

Though the film by itself has seen mixed reviews coming it's way, Himesh's act finds special mention. While his casual look and persona have been highlighted, his emotional bent has been evidenced too. He is now all excited to move on to his next film "Kajraare".

"The promotion for 'Kajraare' is round the corner. From a core multiplex film like 'Radio', I am moving on to an out-and-out commercial outing like 'Kajraare'. It would be great to enter into a different space now," Himesh concluded.

Produced by Bhushan Kumar, written by Mahesh Bhatt and directed by Pooja Bhatt, 'Kajraare' would be seeing an early 2010 release.