I'm totally against extra-marital affairs
Abhishek Bachchan talks at length about his role in Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, and compares it with real life
Subhash K Jha
Has the response to Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (KANK) turned out to be what you thought it would?
Far greater, in fact. The box-office figures prove it. I've never been part of such a success. I think the first week's collection of KANK has been more than all my releases put together. This is a league I'm just not acquainted with. It's wonderful to be part of such a venture. But it's entirely Karan's baby.
Your smallish role has fetched you incredible praise.
First of all, I don't think I have a small role in KANK. I think I've a very important role in the film.
Your character seems to be well acquainted with the trials and tribulations of marriage. Is that knowledge empirical?
I've no knowledge of marriage whatsoever. I just followed Karan's directions very obediently. The credit for my performance goes to him.
Tell us about the response you've received to your performance?
I don't know! I've been very busy working on Dhoom 2. I haven't had the chance to interact with people too much. However, I'm always thrilled when my work gets noticed. But like I said, I can't take any credit for it. I'm not trying to be modest. I'm not a modest person. I'm a realist. I know who's done what in KANK.
Do you think the controversies are good for KANK?
What controversies? There's debate, not controversy, surrounding the film. The good thing about debate is that you get both negative and positive, but always healthy, reactions to a film. Very few films get that. Whether you agree with KANK or not, it has taken Karan to a new level. I think he has unfairly been labeled 'a candy-floss maker'. The mistaken belief that he makes frivolous films has fallen flat after this one.
Do you think Karan took a big risk in moving away from his comfort zone?
The best part is Karan isn't judgmental, just observant of marriages and extra-marital affairs. He isn't telling people to leave their spouses. He just asks a harsh but real question-what if you meet your soul-mate after marriage? Shah Rukh and Rani are the protagonists. But Preity and I are never shown as negative characters. In fact, I find the relationship between our characters fascinating.
What about your relationship with Maya (Rani)?
I felt Karan should have given my character, Rishi, something negative to do. He loves his wife immensely. He's basically trying to be the perfect husband. And that's how the audience has perceived my character. Despite that, Maya, Rani's character moves away. So I felt Karan needed to give my character some dark areas. Whereas Shah Rukh's character does have reason to stray because his wife has no time for him, my character's wife has no such reason. Why does Rishi and Maya's relationship break up?
Why?
That's exactly what I kept asking Karan. He told me, 'One could be in a seemingly perfect marriage. Still, your spouse may not connect with you.' I thought that was a very intriguing thought, put forward beautifully in the film. We never believed everyone would unanimously love the film, but we did hope they'd discuss it.
Generally such discussions and debates are for art-house films…
For me such categorisation makes no sense. A film is a film is a film….
Are extra-marital affairs an inevitable part of contemporary society?
No, they're neither inevitable nor justified. I'm totally against extra-marital affairs. I'd personally never have an affair after marriage. But I won't be judgmental about those who do.
• I've no knowledge of marriage whatsoever. I just followed Karan's directions very obediently
Marathi TV
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