You know how some people become actors because all their lives they wanted to be actors and they spent their childhood looking at the mirror and reciting Amitabh Bachchans dialogues or they practice expressions in the mirror that was never me. Abbas came to me, I liked him, and I liked the film. As far as films go, I just enjoy the process, the acting. I enjoy being on set; I enjoy working with a director. The rest is frills and its really kind of unimportant to me. I am not good at doing the starry stuff like turning up somewhere and throwing my weight around and demanding service or demanding to be upgraded to the first class. I can never do that. I tend to be a little embarrassed about being famous.
So you don't like the trappings that come with being a star?
No its not that I don't like them, everyone enjoys them, its that they don't matter so much to me and very often I am uncomfortable with them.
The industry demands that every actor act in a certain way, do you find yourself acting off screen too?
No, I am very bad at that. Its an interesting phenomenon that when I as an actor meet another actor I don't know at all, we still talk to each other. I find that very awkward. I make it a point to say Hi how are you but beyond that I don't know what to do because honestly, its a weird space, and I cant do any acting besides that, I am not good at it.
Are you comfortable with being called cool?
No and I think it ties into the fact that when I was in school I wasn't really a cool guy. You know there are always those guys who have really great clothes, their parents are very very rich, and they date the most beautiful girls that wasn't me.
You've been saying no to a lot of filmmakers. Is it that the quality of scripts is very bad or are you being extra choosy?
It's a number of things. The most obvious reason is that a lot of scripts are just not good. Then there are a lot of scripts, which are not the kind I am looking to do. Say someone will come to me with a film to play a character that is very close to the character I played in Kidnap. For me it's not that exciting because I've been there. For better or worse, it is better to be completely upfront and honest. If I don't want to do a film I will tell the person at the earliest.
Did you know one day you will be a superstar? What did you aspire to become?
I wanted to be an actor, but becoming a superstar takes a lot of hard work and time. I am not there yet.
You openly acknowledge that you have a girlfriend a lot has changed. Now people talk of your pout! What's your take on this?
Talking about these type of things don't matter much. A lot of things are discussed these days, like, what has one worn in a movie, who is linked with whom, but at the end, the only thing that matters is the performance. The viewers pay for the ticket, and expect to get entertained well. Controversies and gossips don't affect the real viewer. Only work counts.
What is the dumbest question that you have been asked in an interview?
'Do you play pranks on sets?' It was so stupid! Who gets the time to play pranks man, when there is hardly any time to complete all the shots in time. We keep watching the sun go down and think of completing this last shot and then pack up. Who has the time to hide anyone's shoes in that?
Except your 'Mamu', which actor do you look up to?
I am a great fan of Hrithik Roshan. I have always admired him and his work. He works really hard.
Is it true that actresses happen to be dumb girls?
Sometimes, yes! Take for example Genelia and Manjari, they never got any of my jokes - not once.
RAPID FIRE: On a scale of 1 to 10 rate both yourself and Aamir according to the following parameters
GOOD LOOKS: I would put us both at a 7 at this point just because of how young and great he is looking.
PATIENCE: Aamir is a 10 and I am 9.5.We are both tremendously patient people. Again because I am younger, I am that 0.5 percent less patient but I am the most supremely patient being that you will meet.
QUEST FOR PERFECTION: Aamir is a 10 Im probably an 8.
SPONTANEITY: Aamir is 6, Im a 7.
ACTING TALENT: I put myself at a 6 I put him at a10. I do honestly think he is best actor working in the country today.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Mine are not good. I am not good at all, so 5 for me and him I don't know, maybe a 7.Yeah he is better than me.
CHARM: I am more charming than he is definitely; he is not a charming person. He is 5. I am an 8.
TENDENCY TO LOSE TEMPER: One and one.
FIDELITY TO SPOUSE OR GIRLFRIEND: That's a 10 for both. We are both very staid, solid guys.
CID
10