It was conscious decision to not stick to any image: Jimmy

Actor Jimmy Shergil, who has managed to carve a niche for himself in Bollywood with variety of roles, says it was a "conscious decision" not repeating himself in 'chocolate-boy roles'.

In his career spanning over two decades now, Jimmy was initially seen in romantic roles in films "Mohabbatein", "Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai", after which he went on to do varied roles and gave power packed performances in "Haasil", "Munna Bhai MBBS", "Yahaan", "Saheb Biwi Gangster", "A Wednesday" and recently in "Tanu Weds Manu" franchise.

"I am busy working today and I am more happy about that. It was a conscious decision to not to go back to chocolate boy roles. I don't want to get stuck to any image," Jimmy told PTI.

"I am glad I did that (not stuck to one kind of role) as I got the opportunity to do something different like 'Haasil', 'Munna Bhai MBBS', 'A Wednesday' and others. These roles got me lot of appreciation," he said.

The "Special 26" star says if he gets to do "meaty role" in a multi-starrer project, length of the character does not bother him much.

"I do solo films as well. But if I am getting to play meaty roles in an ensemble film then why not do it. I want to do good memorable roles I don't look at the length of the character," the 45-year-old actor said.

"Whatever I am today it is because of the film industry. I have no regrets. I take it as a compliment when people ask me if I have got my due or not."

Jimmy says he is grateful for all the love and support that he has got from the industry.

"I don't think there is any formula. I have always been honest to my work. It's my conscious decision to not get slotted in one kind of image," he said.

Jimmy will be next seen in playing a politician in "Shorgul" and is quite excited about the film.

"It is a fictitious character. The film is inspired from lot of incidents that has happened in our society."

The upcoming political thriller drama is directed by Pranav Kumar Singh and Jitendra Tiwari.

It is reportedly loosely based on 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots.

"The story is very appealing...It was something I had not done before. It's an interesting love story and politics is the backdrop of it," he said.

Starring Jimmy, Ashutosh Rana, Suha Gezen, Narendra Jha, Anirudh Dave and Sanjay Suri in lead roles, the film is set to release on June 24.