Arshad Warsi Interview

Arshad Warsi talks to TOI about life beyond Munnabhai, success, fame and adulation.


So Arshad has finally arrived by bagging a mega five-crore deal, but isn't it a success long overdue?

Yes, I got the adulation pretty late, most actor gets it early on their life. I wish I got this phase six to seven years before. But I have no complaints, I started with nothing and landed up here with something. But even when I was not working, I didn't frown, crib or blame anyone.

Then you had your second innings?

Oh yes, It's been a dramatic comeback. But right after Munnabhai, I didn't get work for more than six months. I thought maybe they don't know where to fit me. I'm like ok soon they will figure it out.

And as a person have you changed?

I haven't changed a bit, but I have become smarter and understand the business better now.

How have you taken your success as?

I think god likes me. I'm god's child (laughs).

But you must have been frustrated at some point?

Something or the other always used to come up. So in a way I never had to struggle. Besides Maria had a job .

You had some problem with John and Bipasha recently?

I'm the last person to have any problem with anyone, but having said that I'm very particular about certain things. There was no hassle with Bipasha, the only time it looked liked when I reached the sets of Goal half an hour late.

And John?

What happened was me, John and the director used to have constant arguments during the shooting. I don't blame it at anyone for mistaking it for a big showdown.

We used to have this long chat in the middle of a football ground. And from a distance with our body language it looked like we were actually fighting and swearing at each other. I used to get pissed off when reading the script and so at times John. John is still a buddy. I really like that guy yaar.

So you had problems with Goal director Vivek Agnihotri as well?

Not with Vivek, but some issues with the script because lit was written in Mumbai and the sensibilities of the NRIs are different. The script changed so many hands and when we started shooting I had issues with it.

Dhamaal was another comedy?

It's a film about a bunch of idiots. It's a stupid and silly film. I have never done something weird and hilarious in my life. I had a blast doing this film. You should admire the guts of Indra Kumar and Ashok Thakeria to make a film without a single heroine