bips (john and i)

Parag Maniar


You just had a release—Darna Zaroori Hai. What made you say yes to the film?
Well, I liked the concept of the film especially of the story that I was doing. So I agreed. But personally I can never watch a horror film. They scare me! I haven't seen any horror film date.

After this horror venture you will be seen in a comedy…
Yes! I enjoyed doing Phir Hera Pheri. I had watched Hera Pheri and thoroughly enjoyed it. So, when the makers of the film approached me for a sequel I said yes without thinking twice. I also found my character to be interesting. Here I would like to clarify that I am not competing with the three main leads—Paresh Rawal, Akshay Kumar and Sunil Shetty. Hera Pheri was their film and so is Phir Hera Pheri. I have just been added to the cast. And I have tried my best become with them and gel with the entire scenario of the film. To be one up on them has not been my intention.

Compared to the films that you have done earlier how different is your role here?
I have always wanted to do roles that had something dfferent to offer me. Also I have realized that the director, the banner and your co-stars, all play an important role in making a film the way it is. Earlier I did not consider these aspects and would just say yes to a film by just listening to my role. As long as my role was good, I used to ignore other aspects of the film. And I realized that despite all the hardwork, the film used to fail at the box-office. I had worked so hard for Madhoshi but it failed. Audience today are not interested in watching a hero and a heroine unless and until the story is really different and captivating. What interests them is - "Is mein Salman hai, Anil hai, Fardeen hai, Esha hai aur Bipasha hai! Sounds interesting!" It is then that they go to watch the film.

So you would usually avoid films with solo lead…
No! If an interesting role comes my way then why not! But there's a lot I would consider—the director, the production banner, my co-stars. Most importantly, does the producer have the capacity to see the film through till the last stage—releasing it at the theatres with adequate ads and promotion in place! As I said earlier, I used to ignore these aspects. Not anymore! I have signed films with new directors. Initially they act as if they know everything but as the shooting progresses they seem absolutely lost. They don't know what to do next. I don't want to go through those experiences again. Today people want to see a good story. Stars add value but it an interesting story that they want to watch.

When do you begin shooting for Rituparno Ghosh' Draupadi?
Sometime next year!

Any Bengali ventures in the offing?
All my relatives and friends are asking me when am I going to do a Bengali film and I say, "I am busy with my Hindi film and as soon as I get time I shall do a Bengali venture." I have been talking to Ritu about it but he has been so busy with his films that I don't know which films he has completed and which one he will begin. And when I learn that he has interesting role in a film, by the time I approach him, I learn that someone else is already doing it. But I shall very soon.

There were rumours that John and you have split…
There's no truth to it! We are very much together. Touchwood