There are talks of a movie with Alia Bhatt: Tiger Shroff

While Tiger Shroff has been praised for his debut, the film Heropanti has got mixed reviews . Tiger discusses his mixed feelings with Subhash K Jha.

The reviews have been kind to you and unkind to the film?

Yes, I am with mixed feelings right now. I am a team player, so I'd have liked the film to get appreciated. At the same time, I worked very hard on the film, so I am much relieved. The kind of grind that the whole team went through for one-and-a-half years ...I've never pushed myself so hard in my life.

But you've always been a diligent and disciplined student?

Yes, the way I pushed myself emotionally and physically during Heropanti was something I had never done. And not only me. Everyone from the director to the light boy. So much effort has gone into the film. And yet it takes one cruel line in a review to bring it all down.

Is the criticism regarding the film unjustified?

I am no one to judge the validity of what is being said and written. I don't watch too many films. I think that's a major flaw in my life as an actor. I must start watching more films. As for the criticism, good news doesn't sell. No one in this industry likes to see other people succeed. It's a very competitive world out there. I remember when I was in school I used to hate it if someone would score more marks than me, or do better in sports activities. The competitive spirit is fine within limits. But it shouldn't drown the sheer joy of the game being played. It's natural to want to win. But to me it's not natural to want others to fail.

You sound very disillusioned by the backbiting?

All I know is, no one knows what the audience would like or not like. I've to work hard to prove myself. And the competition helps me to work even harder. The rivalry would help me to grow as an actor. My father was born to be a star. He had the X factor as an actor. I don't. I'm not that blessed. I will just keep working hard and hope for the best.

Are you wary of being compared with your father?

I am very scared of being compared with him. I want the audience to give me a chance to prove that I'm an entirely different package from my father. Luckily no one is comparing me to my father after seeing Heropanti. We don't need two Jackie Shroffs.

You are more Jackie Chan than Jackie Shroff

(laughs) Sure, I don't mind. I am a big Jackie Chan fan. But it's Bruce Lee whom I idolize. He is the reason I started learning martial arts.

How would you rate yourself as an action hero?

Ummm...4 out 10 or maybe 5 out of 10. There's more to action than just kicking, punching and grunting. If you see Bruce Lee, he's very direct in his action. But there's an emotion behind each punch. I don't want to do stunts and action scenes just to show off. There has to be motivation for the action. The stunts can only be relevant if they have a back-story. Bematlab ka maad-dhaad is not my scene. If that's what I wanted I'd have become a gymnast or a wrestler and tried for the Olympics. An actor can be good fighter and dancer. But just by knowing these skills you don't become an actor. Hrithik Roshan who is my favourite is a fabulous dancer and fighter. But before all of that, he's an actor. If in Kaho Na...Pyar Hai he had merely danced and fought he wouldn't have been where he is.

So did you make a conscious effort to act rather than dance and fight in your first film?

I just wanted to seem normal on screen. I wanted my character to come across as honest. I wanted to say my dialogues with conviction. To stand up to a National award winning actor like Prakash Raj was not easy for me. On the first day of our shooting together I was shivering. But he made me comfortable

Your Dad had to come up the hard way...

Yes, my journey was made smoother because I am a star-son. Doors opened for me because of who I am. But the downside is, there is way way too much expectation from me, much more than there would have been if I were from outside the film industry. I thrive on that competition. But it does become a little hard to bear at times.

You're Gandhian in real life. How do you manage to do all the fights on screen?

I am very uncomfortable with violence and noise. I like to be in peaceful spaces. I'm very spiritual.

But girls like wicked guys?

My next role would have darker shades. But in real life...sorry...I can't be a ruffian just to create a sexy image. I'd rather be myself than a someone invented by the pr machinery. People are saying I've a girlfriend. Then they swing the other way and say I'm gay. I wish they would make up their minds.

Does such speculation annoy you?

No, I am glad they are curious about my life. You only get talked about if you matter to people. If I was a nobody why would they care?

You have a slew of offers?

I do. But right now I'm only focusing on Heropanti. I am anxious to know what audiences want from me. I won't be doing an action film next. I want to break out of that trap. I want to be a full package, like Hrithik Sir. Who has made an impact like him after Kaho Na...Pyar Hai?

Were you bothered with the nasty comments on the internet?

No. I would have been, if any of it were true. But I know people are being mean for the heck of it. It's part of the game. I'd rather not retaliate. I'd like to let my work speak for me. The numbers for Heropanti are speaking to me.

Your life will change now?

I am aware of that. I hope I can cope with the pressures on my private space. I hope I never rub anyone the wrong way. I know I can't please everyone. But I don't want to displease anyone.

You are doing a film with Alia Bhatt?

There are talks. But nothing concrete. Who am I to choose my co-stars right now? And if I must choose it'd be Madhuri Dixit. Whatever I do, I want the effort to be appreciated.

Is success very important to you?

It is. But more than that I want to make my parents happy. And my sister Krishna. She's very proud of me. She didn't know I could do the things she saw me doing in Heropanti. She's grown up with me. She saw her brother in a new light.

And what did your South Mumbai girlfriend think of your performance?

Ha ha. I wish there was a girlfriend. South , North , Central...sab chalega. To end on a cheesy note, I am married to my work.