What prompted you to switch from acting to politics?I haven’t switched over. Basically, I like doing things that keep me passionately awake. Politics is just an extension of one’s public persona and since my childhood I’ve wanted to become a person whose ideas and speech can influence people. In our country, we just let things be and don’t do anything about it. It’s very easy to blame the system but unless the youth doesn’t get up and change things, nothing will. Does your wardrobe have any khadi?As a matter of fact, it does. I am not into khadi majorly but I do have a few kurtas tucked away somewhere. Is India really shining?Now, how do I answer this? As I see it, in the last five years, the present government has sort of achieved some of the promises they had made. Things like the development of National State Highways and basic things like the construction of roads etc, are signs of good governance. Look at Mumbai, the roads haven’t been better. I am not talking about Delhi, which being the political capital is always decked up as a bride. Even the foreign exchange reserves have gone up. Things like these give us hope that we are heading somewhere. I can sense that India is on its way to becoming a superpower. That’s why I joined the BJP. But let me reaffirm that I have nothing against the Congress. So which politician do you like most?More than a politician, I think he’s a great leader. I admire President Kalam. I’ve read his book Ignited Minds and was really impressed. I also think Prime Minister Vajpayee’s great vision for India has started a movement of sorts. What would you do if you were made the Prime Minister for just one day?That’s a Ms India kind of question, so let me refer to my old notes (laughs). I would like to empower women and make sure that the girl child is educated. Though one day is too less to expect miracles, I would also like to see Mumbai get cleaner. What is your personal slogan for the coming elections?I’d ask people, especially the younger generation, to wake up and act. We’ve been independent for 56 years but we still call ourselves a developing country. It’s high time we did something about turning the dream into reality.
