“I’m always game for the classic whodunit”

Does it mean you’re not looking for English films any more?
My choice has always been on project basis. Language has never been a criterion for selecting a script. I do anything that excites me. That said, I feel this is the most happening time for Indian cinema. Films like Rang De Basanti and Omkara are very exciting. A couple of years ago, nobody could have thought films like these would be made in India and would do well.

Have there been any recent films that you wished you were a part of?
Well, actually, I don’t think like that. But I enjoyed the Munnabhai series, Maqbool, Omkara and Main Hoon Na. I think these films symbolise the new wave in the industry and provide a good platform to do some vibrant work.

Is Raqeeb vibrant and exciting?
It’s an interesting film, a murder mystery. I’m always game for the classic whodunit, the Agatha Christie kind. Raqeeb’s plot is very much like an Agatha Christie novel and full of twists. I agreed to do it because it seemed like a fun film with a nice cast. It was also a quick film and I enjoyed that.

Do you feel your career could have been on a different level if you were a little pushy?
I don’t know what being pushy entails. I don’t know what being aggressive entails. I go about my work as I think I should. I meet people, listen to what they have to say, give it my time and decide accordingly.

But you don’t network.
I don’t know what networking means. I don’t go to parties if I don’t know the person who is throwing the party. I prefer meeting people during the day.

Can we expect to see your brother Akshaye and you in a film together?
It has to be a really special film for that to happen. Otherwise, Akshaye and I will probably end up killing each other by the end of the film.

Do you guys share that kind of a relationship?
I think all brothers are like that.

Does Akshaye advise you as he is senior in the profession?
All the time. He’s my guide. He’s very good with stuff like roads, directions and maps. Whenever I have to go to suburbs, he draws me a map with landmarks and all. He has a fantastic sense of direction and even knows which building is at which junction. Maybe that’s why he drives himself.

Do you miss your MTV days?
No, I don’t miss them, but look back with great nostalgia and fondness. I enjoyed MTV till it lasted, but it wasn’t stimulating anymore. My focus was always films. I took up MTV because it seemed like a fun thing to do.

Did you feel bad on missing out on Deepa Mehta’s Water since you guys had such a good time during 1947: Earth?
Actually I was offered Water, but it didn’t work out for a number of reasons. I regret not doing it only because I missed out on the opportunity of working with Deepa again. She had the first screening of Water for me in Toronto and I just loved it. Deepa will always be special for me as she was the first director I worked with. I learnt a lot of my craft from her. Not many people know that you are an active blogger.

How is it going?
Pretty slow. I don’t know what to write about. I’m thinking about topics that would interest me as well as the people who read the blog. I’m trying to step up the pace.

Since you write so well, any plans of writing a script?
I don’t know. I’m sure I will write a script at some point, but can’t see it happening any time soon. I also see myself directing a film at some time in the future, but right now, my focus is on acting. I just want to tell people one more time that I’m very much here.