India, Nov. 26 -- A ctor-musician Paresh Pahuja recently gained widespread popularity after his 2022 track Dooron Dooron went viral on Instagram, and now has a new song, Aur Kya Chahiye, out as well. While acting has always been his primary identity, Paresh admits that the new-found visibility from his music has been a game-changer, opening the right doors for him. "The directors I wanted to work with before, who were either unapproachable or, for whatever reason, unavailable, now want to work with me. Music paved a path for me. They now see me as a complete package, capable of delivering singing, dancing and acting," says Paresh. The 34-year-old adds, "Music has connected me with the masses. Seeing a full house when you perform, hearing the audience hum along, is a different kind of thrill. While I haven't yet been offered a role where I also sing in the same film, I hope that happens soon." Last seen in director Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi, Paresh stresses that he is not stepping away from films to pursue music; rather, he's looking forward to doing more films. "I used to audition, wait two months for a call, and never had the chance to say yes or no. Now, after Bandish Bandits (2020) and my music career, I receive direct offers where the whole story is narrated to me and I'm asked if I want to do it. It's a beautiful, responsible position to be in," he shares. Speaking about the role of social media in his success, Paresh says, "Everything happening in my life right now is a result of that. But I have not created music or chosen roles based on what people might like or how many tickets will sell, that would be self-sabotage." Building on that thought, Paresh adds: "Trends are transient. I am the first audience of my own music. If I can't enjoy a song more than five times in my car, I won't release it. I have at least twenty songs I've made but kept private because I didn't enjoy them."...