Analysing Rahul-Mallika chemistry

What's going on? We asked the actor himself who is shooting in Kerala for Santosh Sivan's next. Rahul comes clean.

You and Mallika. Are you co-workers or friends?
Mallika and I share a very good working relationship, which has tremendous warmth and lots of friendship in it. People feel she's sexy and hot but why can't I be friendly with someone like that? She's one of the most upretentious girls I have ever met in my life. Mallika's a smart, sensitive girl who leads her life the way she wants to.

What kind of on-screen chemistry do you share?
A very good one. She's very comfortable and easy-going to work with and our rapport shows on screen.

Your first scene together… Were there lots of retakes?
It's a low budget film and we can't afford to have more than a couple of retakes. I can't remember our first scene together. I remember our third scene together where we are very much in love and shown as lovers.

I remember the first day I met her. It was at the Pyar Ke Side Effects workshop we had prior to the shooting. We got along very well. Mallika is self-assured with a sense of humor. Contrary to popular perception she's not loud or arrogant. She is not an attention-grabber but yes, she's used to attention.

Any kissing scenes in the film?
Yes, maybe once or twice. We are lovers and it's a romantic comedy so there are a couple of such scenes. There was no discomfort while shooting it.

How would you rate her as an actress?
I don't like ratings. Mallika has a native intelligence and she understands the sur of a scene very well. Yes, Mallika has a lot to learn as she doesn't have the 10 years experience that other stars have but she is a good student. She keeps asking me lots of questions and looking to learn the craft.

You've both made your mark internationally. Comment.
I can't comment about her but I haven't made a mark internationally. I think the only actor who has made a mark till now is Om Puri.

You are friends with your heroines. Perizaad Konkana, Kareena….
Konkona, Mallika, Perizaad and Kareena — I have always had a good rapport with all of them. My theory is very simple. It's not important whether you like a person off-screen or not but when you are shooting it's absolutely essential to have a wonderful and decent relationship with your co-stars — male and female. It makes my life easier if there is understanding and trust between us, which translates into chemistry on screen.

Do you have a favourite co-star?
Yes. Manoj Bajpai whom I acted with when we were shooting for The Whisperers. He's one of the best actors on planet earth and has a tremendous understanding of cinema.

On a set what are you most likely to be doing?
Contrary to what people think I never ever think of my character on the sets. I have studied it a month before. On the sets I catch up with the things I am not able to do normally — reading and listening to music. Right now I am reading Amartya Sen's The Argumentative Indian. There is so little time for myself. So when I am not shooting that I like spending time with myself.

Finally, why are you still single?
It's a conscious decision. I have decided that marriage is an institution that won't work for me. This is right now but things can change tomorrow. I have yet to meet a woman who will be undemanding and give me the time and space to do what I love doing — my social work post-tsunami at the Andaman and Nicobar islands, playing rugby or acting.