Unrequited love filters from real life into film for Prateik

It's a case of real-life sneaking into reel life. After his recent performance in Dhobi Ghat, you will next see Prateik Babbar in Prakash Jha's Aarakshan. And what makes this film unusual is that the story reflects a bit of what Babbar experienced in real life.

In the film, Babbar's character pursues Deepika Padukone although she makes it clear she has no interest in him. That's not too different from Babbar and ex-girlfriend Hanisha Melwani's story.

"In Aarakshan, Deepika's character makes it clear that she's in love with Saif Ali Khan. But he doesn't seem to get it," says a source.

"It's a part I haven't done before, and it's close to my heart. These are two prerequisites before I select a role. That's why I did Dhobi Ghat, although I wasn't sure if I could carry off the lingo and body language of a dhobi," says Babbar.

And that's miles away from the characters he will play in Dum Maro Dum, an anti-drug drama packed with action, and Raghav Dar's My Friend Pinto, where he has the chance to dance his head off.

And if people on set who watched him dance are to be believed, Babbar dances well enough to give Hrithik Roshan and Shahid Kapoor a serious run for their money.

It helps that the actor has decided to focus on his work, putting "extra curricular activities" on hold.

"No more wild nights andu00a0 beach parties. It's just my work. I have four films to complete. It's a decisive year for me. I'm done socialising. It's just the studios and the gym for me," he says.