Actor-director Mahesh Manjrekar says he has made a special appearance in Neeraj Pandey’s Fast Forward for Sonia Jaffer, his dance partner from reality show Jhalak Dikhla Jaa since she is making her debut as a choreographer with the film.

“I don’t know why people are constantly asking me about my role in Fast Forward. I am only making a special appearance in the film. Actually my choreographer from Jhalak, Sonia Jaffer got her first break with the film and she asked me to do it. I couldn’t refuse. She was so good and she taught me so much. I have done the role only for her,” said Mahesh.

Manjrekar, who was last seen in one of the stories in Dus Kahaaniyaan, will now feature in Pankh. However, he makes a deliberate attempt to avoid media glare. “I just do my work. I don’t party after working like others. I have my own set of friends with whom I discuss story ideas, views and scripts. So I channelise my time in a productive way,” said Manjrekar, who has directed films like Vaastav and Astitva.

The filmmaker was in Delhi for the 10th Osian’s-Cinefan Film Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema that was held from July 10 to 20. His film The Saint Who Thought Otherwise, directed by Amol Shetge, was screened at the 11-day gala.

Since Manjrekar has also been a director, wasn’t there a clash of opinion between Shetge and him? “I don’t interfere with anyone’s work and Amol doesn’t believe in what others say. He always does his own things,” he concluded.