If Ramman Trikha is unhappy about being left out of the promotional tours and press conferences of his new release "Gayab", he isn't showing it.

"I'm aware Tusshar (Kapoor) plays the title role. He also happens to be from a very powerful film family whereas I am the eternal struggler hovering at the fringes," Trikha says with a smile.

He started young, became a household name with the popular soap "Banegi Apni Baat". His character had to be written out of the soap when he decided to head towards the Mecca of showbiz. He made no real headway in films (remember something called "Rock Dancer"?) ...until Ram Gopal Varma rediscovered the young actor for the second lead in "Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon".

"I enjoyed playing the totally filmy guy in 'Madhuri Dixit...' as much the romantic lead in 'Gayab'. In fact, "Madhuri..." got me 'Gayab'. In between, I returned to television for a stint on 'Jassi Jaisi...Koi Nahin'.

"Lots of people discouraged me. They warned me I was destroying my prospects in films by going back to television. But I feel television got me where I am today. The reach of the medium is unbelievable. The amount of attention I got after 'Jassi...' Oof!"

Ramman is pleased to have moved ahead.

"'Gayab' has far more footage for me than 'Madhuri....' I'd say it's the story of three characters played by Antara Mali, Tusshar and me. I make a helluva difference to the plot.

"If Tusshar plays the loser, I play the aggressive go-getter who gets whatever he wants because he's pushy. I'm Antara's boyfriend in 'Gayab'," Trikha declares proudly.

This is the second Antara-Trikha starrer in six months.

Any plans of becoming the Dharmendra and Hema Malini of the new millennium?

Trikha laughs.

"Not at all. It wasn't deliberate. I was given the opportunity to do films with Varma Corporation with Antara. I'd have been a fool not to do them. Antara is a thorough professional, very hard working on the sets. The fact that she has done numerous films for Varma's production doesn't make her smug."

Trikha ponders a bit.

"You know, I'm lucky to be visible all through this year, first in 'Madhuri....' then 'Jassi' and now 'Gayab'. Otherwise audiences forget you...unless you happen to be from a film family, in which case the media makes sure you stay in the news," he sounds somewhat bitter.

"I think I'll have to struggle throughout my career. I've no one to play my godfather in the industry.

"It's therefore my luck that I've done two films with Ram Gopal Varma's production house and I'm a doing a third called 'Connecting' to be directed by my ex-colleague from 'Banegi Apni Baat', Girish Malik. It's a very interesting story on how various seemingly unconnected incidents come together."

His face lights up while talking about Tusshar.

"He was fun to work with during 'Gayab'. No airs about him. Acting is all about reaction. I come from television where we believe in loads of rehearsal. In films it's even more important to have a co-star who's responsive. Tusshar is very clued in. He's invisible most of the time. I had to pretend he was there when he wasn't."

Is Ramman okay with secondary roles to Rajpal Yadav and Tusshar?

"I wouldn't call my roles in 'Madhuri...' and 'Gayab' secondary. It's an honour to work for Varma's production house. I don't think any other producer gives so many breaks to newcomers.

Whatever the length of the role, everyone watches an RGV film. It's brand equity now. And a television actor definitely needs the exposure. RGV's films are never about the hero and heroine. Every one is a definite character.

"Look at Rajpal Yadav. He has made an impact in the smallest of roles in Varma's cinema."

Outside Ram Gopal Varma, Ramman Trikka is doing an offbeat film with Saeed Mirza's called 'Mahanagar' and then another film with Girish Malik.

"I'm glad to be doing Girish's films. There's so much groupism and favoritism in the industry. How can an outsider like me make headway? I'm counting on 'Gayab' to make me visible."