<B> Hum Tum is a solo hero release. Are you nervous? </B>

I?m quite excited about it actually. The film is very contemporary; it deals with issues like premarital sex and divorce. Yet, at the same time, it is a Yash Chopra movie. And you can watch it with your family. I never praise my films unless I?m convinced that they are good. With Hum Tum I can confidently say that it is a very enjoyable film. Hopefully it will do very well. A solo hero hit should be good but I?m not paranoid about it.

<B> Is the film an Indian version of the Hollywood hit Harry Met Sally as we?ve heard? </B>

No way. When you say it?s inspired by Harry Met Sally, people will expect an orgasm scene in a restaurant and we don?t have that. A film like Harry Met Sally has no chance of doing well in India. The only common angle I see is perhaps the idea of covering 10 years of a love story.

<B> Apparently Rani Mukerji refused to do a kissing scene with you. What was the problem? </B>

She was a bit uncomfortable and I sensed it. She didn?t refuse to kiss me, she just wanted to be sure about the way it would be shot. I told the director I would support her in whatever she decided. I?ve been here for 12 years and I know these things do become an issue later. I didn?t want any unpleasantness. It?s not a smooch but just a kiss and it has been shot really well.

<B> The buzz is that you are planning to co-produce a film with Ram Gopal Varma. What made you shift to production? </B>

It was Ramu who came up with the idea that, instead of taking my remuneration from him, I should co-produce a film with him. The idea appealed to me. This way I can make sure that the unit I work with is good and I can make a film that I want to. Right now it is just an idea; let?s see when we?re going to put it into action.

<B> Your performance in Kal Ho Naa Ho has mopped up practically all the awards this year. Did you have a good gut feel about it and the film? </B>

Karan Johar and I make an interesting combination. In his screenplay, Karan outlined how I was to play the part and even put down the timing but ultimately, I did it my way. The audience took to my character but I can?t take that too seriously because Shah Rukh set the tone of the film. Still, I can now tell a producer, if I?m given a good role I can do a good job.

Karan has called me caviar. It?s a nice compliment but a bit elitist. Though I don?t want to end up being a potato either.

<B> Your role in LoC was small, but you managed to stand out nevertheless. How confident were you of doing that in the midst of such a big star cast? </B>

I had a strong feeling during the making of the film that it wasn?t going to work. And I also knew that what I think doesn?t matter. I had no idea what the story was. Most of the actors were trying to figure out what was going on, which I thought was quite amusing. I?m quite happy not knowing what?s happening because I don?t know how it is relevant. What difference does it make whether you know or don?t know? The director will make the film he wants to. Why trouble yourself? It?s well known that J P Dutta never narrates the story. He once told me, «I blindfold the actor. Only when he sees the full film does he see the beautiful valley he?s standing in.» My victory in this situation is on a different level. I used to get the scenes five minutes before the shot and I would be so tense; I would worry, I hope he doesn?t scream as he has the reputation of doing. I wanted to deliver and I did. There were so many heroes, yet I stood out. Wow, great.

<B> You seem to be acting pretty tough these days. Do you think people take you more seriously now? </B>

Kissing ass comes out of insecurity. It comes out of not being a man. And playing silly games by calling everyone Papaji is not my nature. I give a lot of respect. But please don?t misunderstand the respect and treat me like a dog. You can work out the way you want to be perceived. If you throw more attitude, some people will treat you with more respect. However, I want to be taken more seriously because I deliver, not because I can hit you.

<B> Why are you going slow on signing films after Kal Ho Naa Ho. It can?t be for lack of offers. ? </B>

I don?t want to sound cocky but in the last few weeks I?ve refused more than 60 offers. I?m speaking to everybody but I?ve stopped signing films that I don?t believe in. Nine out of 10 films don?t do well so it?s okay if I refuse nine out of the 10 offers I receive. I?ve signed two films in six months. One is Akoori which is now complete and the other is a Vidhu Vinod Chopra?s production to be directed by Pradeep Sarkar.

There was a time when my only income was from the movies and I had to do a film so that I could run my house. That?s not the case any more. One good film a year is enough to sustain me. I?m basically a lazy person. I work so I can chill. I work so that I can afford not to work. That?s my basic motivation to work. So why block my time doing films I don?t believe in? In my decade-plus career I?ve done only six or seven films that I believed in. That?s not such a good feeling when you?re beyond 30. Doing films you don?t believe in seems like a ludicrous waste of time. I do know I am getting better at my job and I want to do something different.

<B> Not long ago you were said to be hero-worshipping Salman. ? </B>

I don?t hero-worship anyone any more. It?s healthy to do so when you?re a kid. But I do admire some people. In this industry you should not go by what you hear. You should go by how people are with you. Salman has been nice to me personally. We have an equation. It is very cheap to run him down because it is a done thing socially. I wanted to take a stand for Salman and I did because he?s somebody to look up to. He?s a successful star and a charming person. You don?t become a successful star by chance. He?s always been very nice to me and I cannot forget that.

<B> « One good film a year is enough to sustain me. I?m basically a lazy person. I work so that I can afford not to work. That?s my basic motivation not to work. » </B>

Source : Filmfare-India

by Nilufer QURESHI