Unplugged

So what is it,that you want to do?
I want to be part of projects that I feel will be worthwhile. When actors are remembered,it is always in the context of a film. Everybody knows Gabbar today,a character that played a great part in Sholay. But otherwise Amjadbhai isn’t remembered that often.

Coming to Barah Aana wherein you play a driver,how important is it for you to agree with the character that you are playing and with his actions?
I believe that you should not pass judgment on the character you are essaying. This,provided it serves the purpose in a film. At the same time,I have to find a connection with whatever character I play. Perhaps,that explains why I was mostly a failure when it came to commercial Hindi films. Coming to Shukla,it was nothing much except that I was intrigued by the fact that he doesn’t speak through most of the film. It is not implied that he is mute,but just that he doesn’t feel the need to speak till the dramatic point in the film occurs.

You will be seen playing another UP-based character in Ishqiya. What is this new UP connection all about?
We are not making a big issue of the fact that the characters are UP-based. I think I have played a lot of Hyderabadi and Parsi characters. The next might be Punjabi,I hope. As to Ishqiya being set in UP is concerned,it is because Abhishek (Chaubey – the director) belongs to that place and loves that ethos.

Since you are playing much younger than your age in a romantic lead opposite Vidya Balan,can we expect to see you in some song-and-dance sequences?
No,you won’t see me dancing. It is Arshad Warsi who does that. However,there are times when you find me humming in the film. It seems unlikely that I will ever dance in a film now.

When do we see you directing a film again? Or,co-producing a movie like you did with Raghu Romeo?
Did you not read the reviews Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota…What If got? Reputed critics advised that I should stick to acting. Well,I find directing a film too much of hard work. There is no question of getting into production. I don’t think I’m mentally cut out for it. However,I think my innings in the industry are far from over. But at the moment,I don’t relish it.

Do we ever see you doing a follow-up to your role of Shivaji Maharaj in Bharat Ek Khoj on TV,for which you are rumoured to have charged Rs 4 lakh per episode?
I am willing to do a serial if you offer me mountains of money,restrict the shoot to two hours per day and give me the best role ever. As for the rumour,I did charge quite a bit,but not the amount stated. There was money in that project and I did not see why I shouldn’t have got a slice of the pie.