MUMBAI: Red FM RJ Mantra, who has dabbled as a host on television, is  now set to turn film actor.

Mantra is playing the second lead in the Soha Ali Khan- Emraan Hashmi starrer �Tum Miley', directed by Kunal Deshmukh.

Says Mantra, It was not bad, considering it's my debut. I didn't feel  out of my depth as I have been doing television for so long. The one thing I couldn't figure out was why filmmaking takes such a long time. Now I know - there are so many different angles and retakes for a single scene!...

The Vishesh films release is schedulded to hit theatres on 24 July and  is based on the deluge that hit Mumbai on 26 July 2005. Raving about the canvas of the film, Mantra reveals, The scene of the floods in Mumbai was recreated. We have been shooting in five feet deep water....

Mantra plays the character of Mr Wick, who is Akshay's (Emraan) best friend. The two friends study together in Cape Town, where the unit has shot for a month.

Adds Mantra, I have always been an actor; I became an actor before I became an RJ or a TV host. I have been doing theatre for the last twelve years. Performing on stage is in my blood because my mother also use to perform on stage. Now, I am a VJ, I am a RJ and I am an actor also, official…Thappa Lagake!!! ...

However, Mantra believes there are yet more avenues for him to explore.