You’ve been missing in action for a while now?I was wrapping up my films. I’ve almost completed Musafir and Ramgopal Varma’s Galti Se and Jaanbhooj Ke. I was not talking to the media because I had nothing new to say. I have never been too much in the limelight. I don’t do ads or music videos. My policy is lesser the exposure, the better it is for an actor. Ramgopal Varma’s films sound exciting. Aren’t they basically the same film with a different ending?Yes, only the last 35 minutes are different. The motivations of both the films are different. I think it’s the first time something like this is being attempted in India. It’s quite challenging which is good for me because I do my best when I am challenged. I’ve always taken pangas in my life and most often they’ve paid off. It’s ironic but whenever I’ve done anything conventional, I’ve fallen flat on my face. Musafir puts you in the driver’s seat again?Oh, definitely. The film has a new kind of atmosphere and energy. This is the first time that I am working with both the Sanjays (Gupta and Dutt), Sameera Reddy and Mahesh Manjrekar. So expect some good, unpredictable stuff. Weren’t you apprehensive about signing Musafir because it’s a Dutt camp film?You have to trust people. I like to go with my conviction. When I trust someone, I take the chance. The film does have some benefits. Sanjay Dutt has sung a song to you in the film?After having Sridevi and Madhuri (Dixit) singing to me for years, it was a welcome change to have Sanju do the honours. I think Tezdaar will become the film’s trump card. Your co-stars keep getting younger: Kareena Kapoor, Sameera Reddy and Lara Dutta.Not to forget Nandana Sen. It’s just a coincidence. But an interesting one. I think younger actresses have more zest for work. For them, it’s about life and death. We’ve heard that these days you are cycling to film shoots?Let me give the devil his due! It was Salman Khan who inspired me to take up cycling. Salman’s funda is simple: Due to our hectic schedules, we miss working out but, if we cycle to work, then we save time and also enjoy a kind of cardio regime. It takes me one hour to reach a shoot by car. On a cycle it takes one hour 10 minutes. Also for Ramu’s films, I play a common man, so to relate to the character I decided to travel by a cycle. I am not saying that I am a great method actor or something but let’s just say that I can’t step out of a Mercedes and play a common man. Cycling just makes things easier. No Entry unites you with two Khans—Salman and Fardeen?No Entry is perhaps the most entertaining film of my career. It’s one of my better films. Sure, it is one of those typical commercial films but I had to do it to keep the ghar ka chulah burning. Your daughter Sonam is assisting Sanjay Leela Bhansali?It’s too early to comment on her. I want her to concentrate on her work and don’t want any media exposure. I want her to learn the job as an ordinary assistant. You have also launched a website.You won’t believe it but I get around 300-400 e-mails a day. It’s my direct contact with my fans. It’s only for them.
