The lure of glamour and money has induced many aspiring starlets from all the corners of the country into this tinsel town. Only the defiant succeed. Here is one such name that is standing tall and attracting attention. He is Gautam Rode with Gautam as his screen name. Having a height of 5 ft. 10 inches, flamboyant physique, macho looks, he has all the ingredients to join the rat-race of stardom.

Hailing from Delhi, he finished his schooling and graduation over there. Observing him, he has the strength and confidence with unrivaled suave and elegance. He wanted to carry on with his father's business of stock broking in the share market. But destiny had other things in store for him. On a chanced visit to his friend's ad agency in Delhi, he bagged the modeling assignments for CloseUp and Centre Fresh Chewing Gums. That was just the beginning...

He came to Mumbai in 1998. Then started a series of modeling assignments like Lifebuoy Soap, Jai Soap, Ponds Cream, Titan Watches, Surf Excel, Smyle Throat Drops, Clinic Shampoo, Dr. Lips Lip guard, Ruffle Lays Chips, etc. As a model, he was never at ease with any ramp walks. Modeling in so many commercials gave him an edge into television. He acted in one hour soaps like Rishtey and Suspense Thrillers.

The thirst for acting increased in him. He added to his daily four hours work-out by learning fights from Moses master and dances from Dilip, who was a Chief assistant dance director to Ganesh Acharya. He had his sight for the big silver screen. His friend and Doctor Jitesh Shetty learning his this desire, introduced him to Police encounter specialist Prakash Bhandari, who then introduced him to Sunil Shetty. Sunil then was planning to start Celebrity Management, under his firm Popcorn Entertainment and was impressed with Gautam and took him under his wings. Sunil arranged his meeting with action director turned producerdirector Ravi Dewan, who was basking in glory on his successful debutante directorial venture Vinashak and was chalking, out plans in not only directing, but producing that film too. The film is titled as Annarth. Gautam was offered to play one of the male leads in the film. His joy knew no boundaries. And why shouldn't it be? He was acting along with veterans and stars like Sunil Shetty, Sanjay Dutt, Ashutosh Rana, Johny Lever, Shweta Menon, Tinnu Anand and cricketer-turned-actor Vinod Kambli. That was not all, Preeti Jhangiani plays the female lead opposite him. What could have one asked for his debut film? The Film is almost complete and is being planned for November release. These days Gautam is on cloud nine and keeping his fingers crossed. Incidentally it was September, and he is giving his first interview in the same month, when he had arrived in this tinsel city with starry airs. Quite a co-incidence!

Before beginning his chat he was all up arms praising THE ALMIGHTY GOD for being kind. He is further grateful to Sunil Shetty and producer-director Ravi Dewan for reposing faith in him and giving him an opportunity. He is also thankful to all those friends who have been instrumental for channelising this golden opportunity, including the positive support of his parents and family members.

Speaking about the film, he terms it as an undercurrent of underworld. Ashutosh Rana is an ambitious underworld don. Sunil Shetty is his devoted brother and who carries out the order of his elder brother's nefarious activities unquestioningly. Sunil has grey shades in the film. Preeti Jhangiani is their sister, who is a famous model and music video actress. Vinod Kambli is a fun-loving and happy-go-lucky character. Gautam is Sunil Shetty's child-hood friend and they are the best of buddies. He takes a liking for Preeti. Gautam shifts away for further studies and brighter prospects to another city. After ages, Gautam comes back to his child-hood friend and also joins their gang of criminals. But things are not the same! Gautam and Preeti re-ignite their love. Sanjay Dutt appears in a very special appearance. He is in love with Shweta Menon but she has a boy friend. Sanjay out of jealousy kills her boy friend. On his release from the prison, he opens a pub, which is a joint for unsuccessful lovers. He is a good friend of Sunil Shetty too. Johny Lever is a video director of music videos and evokes laughter in many of his scenes.

Adding more on the film, he says there are mind-blowing action scenes and melodious music. The film has lot of emotions, melodrama and high voltage actions. Producer-director Ravi Dewan has left no stone unturned in making this film. He even had received lot of support from his co-stars like Sunil Shetty, Sanjay Dutt, Ashutosh Rana, Preeti Jhangiani and Johny Lever too. They have lent Gautam their fullest co-operation and he will remain grateful for their kind doings. Sanjay Dutt treated Gautam like his younger brother and boosted his morale too.

A model is hardly considered a good actor. To this he replies that acting is GOD's gift. He did a crash course for around a month with Roshan Taneja's Acting Academy before starting shooting for Annarth.

His choice of roles: He is at ease when it comes to action and comedy scenes. But he would love to be known as a versatile actor. He believes in real hard work.

Here is one new star on the horizon to be watched for...