Actor Manish Goel—last seen in Rajan Shahi’s hit show Anupamaa and celebrated for iconic roles in classics like Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Ghar Ek Mandir, Kasautii Zindagii Kay, Bhabhi, and Devi—is far from finished. If anything, he’s hungrier than ever for roles that test his limits.
In a candid conversation with IWMBuzz.com, the veteran actor opened up about where he is in his career, emphasising a deep desire to break out of his comfort zone rather than repeat past successes.
At the top of his wishlist? A menacing antagonist. “I am a very hungry actor, and I want to explore every dimension possible,” Manish shared.
“One role I’m dying to play is a truly menacing villain—the kind of character the audience loves to hate. I want people to hate me so intensely that when they walk out of the theatre, they literally want to pick a fight with me. That raw, love-to-hate dynamic is something I haven’t gotten to tap into yet.”
While audiences know him for his grounded, high-intensity roles, Manish insists his real-life personality holds two major surprises: a hopeless romantic and a good comedian. Married to actress Poonam Narula, Manish admits that his intense on-screen persona couldn’t be further from his everyday self.
“I’d love to play a hardcore romantic lead,” he revealed. “In real life, I am deeply romantic. I love poetic gestures and surprising Poonam. I want to bring that genuine warmth and affection onto the screen.”
He added, “Beyond that, people don’t realise I have a great sense of humour. Audiences usually see me as this serious, composed guy, but I have a crazy, playful comic side that is waiting to be explored.”
When asked about his ultimate dream role, Manish described a complex character who can navigate the full spectrum of human emotion—a balance between hero and villain.
“If I had to pick one dream role, it would be a character that experiences an entire gamut of emotions—someone who is simultaneously the antagonist and the protagonist,” he explained.
Rather than looking at existing reference points, Manish is searching for a complete physical and artistic metamorphosis. “I’m not looking to copy anyone. I want a project that demands a full transformation—where my look, my physical shape, and my hair all shift. I want a role that pushes me to absolute limits in appearance and performance. And I genuinely believe that opportunity is right around the corner.”
