You seem to be going all out to promote Wanted. Have you finally realised the importance of marketing?
My producer (Boney Kapoor) has spent a lot of money to make the film. He's banking on me to promote it and ensure there's a buzz. So here I am making television appearances, giving interviews etc. I don't know much about marketing, buddy, but I know ke agar picture kharab hai, toh use marketing bacha nahi sakti, aur agar picture achhi hai woh chalegi, marketing or no marketing.
The industry's banking on Wanted to deliver...
Yes, the industry has been struck by one problem after the other recently. First there was too much money floating around, then markets crashed, then the multiplex strike, then swine flu. In such a scenario, we need a number of films to do well for the rest of the year if the industry has to tide over all these problems. And it's important for all big films not just mine to do well, for a while.
Do you ever watch your old films and cringe?
(Laughs) A lot of them. But when you're young, you don't know a lot of things, which you learn as you gain some experience. For the first 13 years of my career, I worked from sunrise to sunset. I did too many films and I didn't always know where they were going. Now I don't even remember locations I visited at the time, or when I shot those films. There are times I'm watching a movie on TV without knowing which one it is, and then suddenly I appear on screen. It takes me a few moments to recollect which film it is. And then it comes back, accha woh hai.
Wanted's an action film, Veer a period drama and we hear you're playing a corrupt cop in Dabang. Are you finally experimenting with roles?
I don't really think I haven't done different roles even if that's the perception. I have done comedy, romance, action and emotional dramas in the past. Aur yahaan isi genre ki picturein banti hain. But yes, lately it's been a good time for me in terms of getting varied scripts. I am feeling positive about them.
You haven't done a negative role yet...
And I don't think I will.
Don't want to play the bad guy?
No.
What gives you a high as an actor?
It's not the money definitely, nor the stardom. (Thinks) I like that my films make it easier for me to connect with people. I like going to a new place and a complete stranger looks at me and smiles, says 'Hi'. I like that.
Do you want to do anything other than act?
I thought I did everything else but act (laughs).
You know what I mean. Direction may be. Politics? Or some sort of business?
Yeah, I'd like to direct some day. That's what I wanted to do when I entered the industry. When I went to someone for work, they would look at me and say that I was too young to direct and should try acting. I thought I should give acting a shot. And one movie led to another. Politics, I don't want to dabble in. Business, I don't have the acumen for it.
But there's talk of you buying one of the two new IPL teams.
I've met (Lalit) Modi, yes. But 2011 is a long way off. The bidding process has to begin first. If the bidding goes well, then I'll have a team; if I don't bid right, then nothing happens. Of course, IPL is big. Whether I become a part of it, we'll have to wait and watch.
Do you remember your first date?
(Looks surprised at the question and ponders over it for the longest time). Yes. I was 16-17 (years old). The music was too loud. She kept saying something that I couldn't hear. I told her so. She told me to turn the music down. That was the end of it. (smiles)
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