Rebellion has always been my characterist

It was really big of Aamir to let you have the ending. Comment.
Aamir is the most secure, and respectable actor of his generation. The main reason I signed this film was the fact that it was an ensemble cast. The idea becomes feasible when you have Aamir in the mix and thereby, you make no mistakes. If Rakeysh Mehra is the maker of this film, Aamir is the facilitator. He has seen the film from its conception to its execution. They both deserve unending praise for their bravery.

Tell us how you landed this role?
Rakeysh Mehra had been casting for Karan Singhania for a couple of years. I honestly believe that destiny made him come to me. Ironically, I didn't accept the film when it was first offered to me. It was only after I read the bound script that I agreed to jump on board. I loved the script, and Aamir's participation convinced me that the script would be made as it should be.

Any apprehensions about the role?
I was very excited. One good character is a rarity. Two complex alter-egos in one film is a revelation. I spent six months on this film. My relationship of trust and dependence with my director through this time has been the most emotional bond I have had in my career. It was a very maternal kind of presence on his part—reassuring and protective.

Did you prepare to play Bhagat Singh?
The first thing Rakeysh nailed about Bhagat was that he would be a boy since he was a boy when he died. Further, we decided his actions and words would be heroic, but not his demeanour. I have tried to play Bhagat as human, because it is his story that makes him superhuman, and not his behaviour. It is a huge honour. I hope I have done justice to it.

If you could do any other role in the film…?
I would have probably found Sukhi most challenging because of the huge variations in his persona through the film. And that probably gets heightened by the way Sharman has played him.

What's the best compliment you've received?
I see a sense of pride in every person after the film is over, which is a bit difficult to process. When people see you differently because of a two-and-a-half hour film that is overwhelming. Family, friends, colleagues and total strangers, all have reacted with a huge sense of pride, both about the film, and about me.

Was Karan in love with Soha?
Karan is actually in love with two people in the film—Sonia and Ajay. They mean the world to him, and are the two people who bring out the sentimentalist in him. He is happy when he sees them happy, and so in love with each other. I love that different audiences are reading between the
lines, and absorbing the group of friends on different levels. It is a very complex group, which on the outside looks hopelessly simple. Great writing can do that sometimes.

Were you close to the guy you played in college? Silent? Smoking? Brooding? Rebellious?
Silent… no, smoking… maybe, brooding… definitely not, rebellious… yes, with a vengeance. Rebellion has always been my quintessential characteristic. It is a part of my education, and my career so far. I need to do something different all the time. That helps keep boredom away.

A lot of male bonding must've happened on the sets. Tell us about it.
It's very common to have friendship on film sets. It's very rare for these relationships to last once the shoot ends. RDB is an exception. It's a very talented, young, and intelligent cast. I had the most enjoyable shoot of my career in this film.

There was no status quo on the sets. Everyone was a cog in the machine. I miss RDB a lot. It was fun going to work everyday. Mehra ran a very warm and affectionate set. I have made friends for life on this film. Sharman, Soha and Atul, are very dear friends.