Trade experts often compare you to Salman Khan given that any film you two do clicks at the box office. What do you have to say on that?
I think the comparison is unfair. Salman has been around for so many years that I can’t match up to that legacy. But I aspire to get there. It has been a long, slow and steady journey. A huge change has come to me career-wise after Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai (2010) and The Dirty Picture (2011). And from the kind of feedback we are getting before the release of Ghanchakkar, I am sure this film will be my biggest success.
Coming to Ghanchakkar, is it a comedy film?
The theme of the film is definitely quirky. But there is also an element of suspense. I can confidently say that even till the climax you won’t be able to make out ke paise kiske paas hai. The way it has been written that after every 15 minutes you will feel that my character is lying and he is not suffering from memory loss.
Lots of comedies are being made these days. How is your film different?
Bollywood is very good at making comedies. But I am sure that with Ghanchakkar the audience will get to see a different kind of comedy that they were missing out for a long time.
The song Lazy Lad from Ghanchakkar is topping music charts. How much of a lazy lad are you in real life?
I am a very lazy person. My choice of career was also a lazy decision. I chose this profession (acting) as I thought it is going to be easy. I used to see film and say “Aah that is easy!” It was only when I started off I realized how tough it is and how much hard work is needed to be an actor. I look for shortcuts in most things. I don’t like long routes to any of my destinations.
Is there any kissing scene between you and Vidya Balan in this film?
I won’t answer this question as you know Vidya’s husband (Siddharth Roy Kapur) is the head of the production house for Ghanchakkar (UTV Motion Pictures); and if I have to work with UTV in future, I have to zip my lips for this film.
How is it working with Vidya again after The Dirty Picture?
I am a fan of Vidya. Her spontaneity on screen always inspires me. She has steered her career into doing something different yet successful and that’s really laudable.
Your co-actors say that you don’t laugh much on the sets and maintain a serious attitude. Is that an instruction given to you by your wife (Parveen Shahani)?
It isn’t that I used to laugh much before I got married. I do laugh. But I think it’s an after effect of doing too many serious, dark roles, angry scenes … which I started thinking to be a part of me. I need to lighten up. (TWF)
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