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| 'The Don Juan image isn't right for me' - Aftab Shivdesani | ||
| By Vickey Lalwani 2005 Bollyvista.com | ||
Excerpts from an interview by Vickey Lalwani What's your role in your next film 'Koi Aapsa'? I play a footballer in love with Natassha. The film deals with friendship and relationships. What is the USP of 'Koi Aapsa'? I can't pinpoint one. There have been many instances. But if you insist, I would say that the USP is the wonderful chemistry I share with the heroine Natassha. You've been playing lots of snooker in real life, these days? I have been playing snooker since the last thirteen years. I remember bunking school to play the game. Eight years ago, I was ranked No. 3 at the Maharashtra junior level but today I hardly practice. I play just for recreation. My shooting schedules do not permit a regular practice session but I think I am a fair player. You recently defeated a yesteryears' state-ranked player Santosh Gulwadi in Mumbai? It's okay. Gulwadi is a great player. Only one of us could have won. You are cricket crazy as well? You may say that. Today, I am a part of the team formed by the Indian film industry, along with a cricket board. A team of actors will compete against various other celebrity teams and clubs from India and abroad, led by Sunil Shetty. The participant countries are Australia, UK, Singapore, Pakistan, South Africa and Dubai. Match proceeds will go to charity. I will participate in the matches when my shooting schedules do not clash. Go on... When Hrithik Roshan led his team to victory against Shah Rukh Khan's in the celebrity cricket match at Amsterdam's Olympic stadium this year, I was adjudged the man-of-the-match. I took six wickets. I bowled out SRK, as well as that of former India captain Mohammed Azharuddin. Azhar was out leg before wicket. Azhar couldn't believe it. In the same match, I also gave a good performance with the willow as I hit a huge six that went to the stands. Are all the reports of your romantic liaisons true? There have been so many... (Interrupts) Completely untrue. I've shouted from rooftops that the Don Juan image isn't right for me. I don't want to give interviews contradicting these concocted stories. Why should I waste my time? At times all this loose talk flusters me. I'm human. I need my space. The bottom line is people will love you if they like your work. You are dating Yana Gupta? (Laughs) I knew that this was coming. All I say is that my life is undergoing a transient change. I know Yana, but I am not saying anything on her beyond this. Do you regret that your first film 'Mast' didn't do well? The failure of 'Mast' taught me a lot of things. It's helped me grow as a human being and accept failure. Having a taste of failure helps prepare you for the rest of the journey. On what basis do you choose a film in general? I choose a film by asking myself whether I will have enough scope in it as a performer. The length of the role is not important to me. What matters is whether I am noticed and am able to leave an impact of my own in the film. I will never force myself on any director. If a director thinks that I am suited to the requirement of a particular role, he will definitely come to me. Karan Johar is a distant cousin of mine but till date I have never ever tried to use him. Are you hopeful about the future? Very much so. For the first time in my career, I am looking at so many releases and all of them are critical for me. Maybe now the press will stop talking about my personal life and start talking about my work. Success is just a delay of failure- and vice versa. So you have to take both in your stride, and can't take either one too seriously. After 'Koi Aapsa'? I have Subhash Ghai's 'Shaadi Se Pehle' where I play a self-obsessed guy who falls in love. I have also signed Ramu's black comedy 'Darwaza Band Rakho', Vikram Bhatt's 'Aakhir' and UTV's untitled starring Sanjay Dutt and Zayed Khan. 'Aakhir' is said to be Vikram Bhatt's real life story and his affair with Sushmita Sen and you play Vikram in that? I don't know whether it's Vikram Bhatt ki real kahaani. Where do you see yourself five years from now? I've been given many opportunities and it's thanks to the blessings of those who have supported me and wished me well. I love them and it's because of them I'm here standing on my own two feet, and I'm going to fight until I've achieved the best and will never ever let them down. |
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