By Subhash K. Jha, IANS

Sammir Dattani, known as Dhyan in the Kannada film industry, was very nervous before the release of "Sajni" in which he plays two starkly different characters.

"I've never been more nervous about any of my films, not even 'Amrithdhare', which required me to act far more mature than I really am," Sammir told IANS.

In "Sajni" he needed to sport two different looks.

"In the first-half I'm a carefree, flirty campus dude. This was easy to do since I'm a big flirt in real life. No harm meant. But I like to make my girlfriends feel special. Hence flirting with my 'Sajni' co-star Sharmila for the camera was easy.

"It was the second-half that posed a problem. I had to sport a totally opposite executive look... suits, ties, briefcases. Here's where my corporate background helped me. I fell back on my role in Madhur Bhandarkar's 'Corporate'."

Sammir also said that his family background helped him etch out the role of a businessman convincingly.

"Again, I belong to a business family so it wasn't so hard to look business-like. From the age of four I imitated my dad, got myself a small desk and a big briefcase and pretended to attend office."

The film was shot almost entirely in Britain.

"Sharmila and I had loads of fun shooting in Kent and London. This is her first film. So I felt like quite a veteran," remarked Sammir.

"It's good to be back in Kannada cinema. I feel I'm home again."

The film hit the marquee Friday and has got encouraging reviews.