He then played a supporting role in Prathyartha, directed by Sunil Kumar Desai, and a lead role in the same director's Sparsha. In 2001, a role in Huchcha gave him his first big following.
In 2001, he received his first significant recognition with a role in Huchcha, following his supporting roles in Prathyartha and Sparsha, both directed by Sunil Kumar Desai.