Article-Cross Over

Isn't your character in Kayamath, Milind, modelled on RC, the guy you played in Shootout in Lokhandwala? Heavens, no! Milind is neither an alcoholic nor a criminal. He's a nice guy. Wasn't it a wrong career move to start off with a negative role in a multi-starrer? (Frowns) I've never thought along those lines. Shootout… was great fun and Apu (Apurva Lakhia) is a fantastic director. You're said to be Ekta Kapoor's blue-eyed boy? (Smiles) I don't know about that but I can tell you that Ekta's a great boss. She's given me some wonderful roles. I love her 'going- all-out' attitude. What's your take on Iqbal Khan, Rajeev Khandelwal and more recent- ly Pulkit Samrat who have had major issues with Balaji Telefilms? I can't comment on them. Why didn't Sangeeta Ghosh and you host Nach Baliye 3? We were approached, but I had to go to Turkey for Mission Istanbul. Every time the two of you are on stage, there's crackling chemistry. Is that because.. (Interrupts) No way, there's nothing on. Sangeeta's energetic and uninhibited. The buzz is that Panchi Bora, your co-star in Kayamath, is more than a good friend? That is one rumour I want to clear. There's absolutely nothing on between Panchi and me. She's a sweet girl. Period. Whom would you choose between Panchi and Sangeeta to partner you in Nach Baliye 4? (Laughs) Neither. So far there have been two female and one male judge on the show. I want to break that norm and be the second male judge on Nach Baliye 4. Hey, I'm kidding! So, will we ever see you as a participant on a reality show? Sony had approached me for Jhalak Dikhhlaa Jaa. But I can't handle multiple projects. (Smiles) Also, I can't dance. Would you take on Bigg Boss? No. I can't stay away from my family for so long. Any other films apart from Mission Istanbul? There is one but I haven't even said 'yes'. So, I can't talk about it. Will you ever work outside of Balaji Telefilms? Even Shootout… was co-produced by Ekta Kapoor. Incidentally, this new film if it works out will be outside Balaji. Playboy Rishi, underworld thug, rustic Milind.. aren't you getting slotted as the rough-and-tough guy? I wouldn't ever take up anything unless I can bring a little extra to the role. You have a huge fan following. (Smiles) It feels good to be loved. Why are you so reclusive? I guess I like my privacy. I don't like talking if there's nothing to talk about. If you become a big movie star like Shah Rukh Khan will you quit TV? The medium isn't important. Normally, you wrap a film within a fixed time frame. That's good. And when you're on TV a lot of people watch you every day. (Smiles) That's even better. I don't think I'll quit TV.. it's unlikely.