Why have you become so inaccessible?

I?ve always been like this. It?s just that people are taking more note of it now. I prefer to talk only when my films are about to release because that?s when I have something to say. Everyone knows who I am, where I come from and what work I?ve already done. So I?d only be repeating myself if I gave constant interviews.

What?s it been like working with Bachchan Sr in Black and Bachchan Jr in Yuva? We?re told you?re very fond of both.

They?re both wonderful people and great co-stars. I have equal fun working with both of them? but at different levels of course. Amitji is my senior and as I?ve always maintained, I?m completely in awe of him. When I?m with one, I miss the other because they?re very alike. It?s great working with that family.

There are rumours that your mother is keen on a match between you and Abhishek.

That?s ridiculous and very unfair of the media to quote my mother like that. I?m not sure what exactly my mother may have said. It could have been something as innocuous as Abhishek and me looking good together on screen. And you?ve put two and two together and come up with 2222. It?s a very sensitive issue and not something anyone should make a loose comment about.

Okay, let?s move to safer topics. Tell us about shooting for Black with Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

I will say that it?s a completely different experience altogether, something I haven?t ever experienced in my work. This film is really very special. Hats off to Sanjay (Leela Bhansali) for picking up a script like this after making an opulent film like Devdas. He is so detailed in his work that as an actor, I can?t ask for more. Besides, I was surprised to discover that he?s quite open to suggestions. In fact, he really makes the artiste feel so comfortable on the sets. It?s truly a treat to work with him.

You and Sanjay seem to have to have hit it off really well. How different an experience has it been shooting with him?

Every filmmaker has his own working style and your comfort level with each is bound to be different because it depends on the personal rapport you share. Sanjay and I get very well because both of us share a similar attitude towards our work. We are both serious and focused about our work. We chill out between scenes. He never tells me to stop fooling around because he knows that when I?m in front of the camera, I?ll deliver. That?s really encouraging because the film is quite dark and it helps to de-stress by laughing and joking from time to time.

Now to The Rising ? are you allowed to talk about this one?

Well, it?s a special film again because my co-star is Aamir Khan. And my director is Ketan Mehta, whose films (especially Mirch Masala) I?ve enjoyed watching. I still can?t believe that I?m working with him. Brilliant film-makers never really show how good they are. Ketan is cool and casual. He belongs to Mani Sir?s school. If he doesn?t like a shot he?ll never say it was a bad shot, he?ll just come and say, let?s do one more. As for Aamir, working with him brings back all the fun of our Ghulam days.

Has he changed in any way since you last worked together?

Not at all. He still treats me like a kid. But yes, he has eased up a little. He?s one of my favourite people.

But then, you only have nice things to say about everybody! Haven?t you had any bad experiences or do you prefer not to talk about them?

If they?re nice people then I have to say so, right? Besides, who am I to talk badly about anybody? That?s not right. I think everyone should watch The Passion Of The Christ. They?ll learn what Jesus Christ teaches: Love your enemies and forgive those who persecute you. So you should love the people who bitch about you. Jokes apart, the movie?s really good and you must watch it. Look, I?m friends with everybody and have no problems with anyone. Okay, loving your enemy is asking for a lot but at least you can ensure that the person doesn?t bother you. Believe me, I?ve been like this from the very beginning.

Source : Filmfare-India by Meera Joshi

«I think everyone should watch The Passion Of The Christ. They?ll learn what Jesus Christ teaches: Love your enemies and forgive those who persecute you. So you should love the people who bitch about you.»