Coming off the hugely popular Kundali Bhagya, Dheeraj Dhoopar is back in the game with two shows. His debut reality show, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa is his attempt to go beyond the romantic hero image and become an all-round performer, while Sherdil Shergill sees him as a stand-up comedian. The role that has him the most excited, however, is the off-screen one — he recently became father to a baby boy. In conversation with mid-day, Dhoopar breaks down juggling two shows, and the hard work that has gone into building his 14-year career.

Edited excerpts from the interview.