He is known to keep journalists on tenterhooks till the last minute and he is also known to promptly respond to text messages. A colleague has experienced the first and I, the second.
It's floor No 13 that we are to meet Himesh Reshammiya, the man with the nasal tone, the man who gave us Aap Ka Suroor. With mixed feelings, we reach the venue only to be greeted warmly, asked to wait in his vanity van while he goes in for a shot he is doing some patchwork for Karzzzz, which releases next month on October 17.
Ten minutes wait and then an SMS from Himesh which says, 'Will be with you asap in max 10 m cause me in shot thanx (verbatim)' The interview finally gets underway'''
Your hands are full these days'''dubbing in the morning, shooting during the day and recordings in the night. What's going on in your mind?
Karzzzz, Karzzzz and just Karzzzz. I need to prove myself again in so many spheres. You know, Rishi Kapoor's role in Karz was not easy as it has so many different shades. Besides, he is the best-looking man and I, the worst. (Laughs)
You are being self-critical.
I am being honest. When the film releases, I can't say, 'Arre I am a dhokla Gujarati boy, a simpleton or a common man who has been given an opportunity to act in this industry. The character Monty is a complete show reel. Whether I have performed well or whether I am comfortable with the camera, people will judge with their green, black, violet or red pen. (Laughs)
Why the urgency to prove your acting skills?
In Aap Ka Suroor, there was this one per cent section that didn't give the film critical acclaim even though the film was a commercial success. This time, I have grown as an actor in Karzzzz.
Why do you keep referring yourself as the dhokla boy?
I am proud to be a Gujarati and there are very few Gujarati actors in the industry. I say dhokla boy because my progress in the film industry has been unconventional. I started off as a serial producer and then did music, singing and shows and now I am acting and getting away with it (Laughs).
Don't you think you are trying your hand at too many things?
I believe I will be able to carry it off. And I've always followed my belief.
Why aren't you doing music for other films?
Where's the novelty if I do music for outside films and for mine as well? It was a conscious business decision not to do music outside.
Don't you think you got these films for your name and not for your acting skills?
Every big star can't be a flawless actor in his first film. Acting can be polished. But yes, at the same time, there is something called popularity which I guess I am. (Sic)
An unconventional actor then?
Yes, I guess. Till Tere Naam, my music was conventional. After that, I shifted to the unconventional with Aashique Banaya Apne. Don't you think Just Chill worked with the auto drivers? (Laughs)
Can you explain Tandoori Nights? Is it a song?
(Laughs) I know, at first you would probably react by saying, 'What kind of a song is this?' But the word is accepted and recognised worldwide in restaurants. In my songs, the hook word has always been different. When I did Aap Ka Suroor, no one understood what suroor meant or for that matter the lyrics of Aapki kashish sarfarosh hai. People used to ask, 'Isska matlab kya hai?'
I think unconventional lyrics have to be supported by contemporary tracks. Going back to Tak tana tana na tandoori nights (sings it out), we always talk about tandoori chicken and tandoori food''' it's a part of our lifestyle. Don't you like tandoori chicken? (Laughs)
Yes I do. But you are a vegetarian, aren't you?
Ya, I am. Though I did eat non-vegetarian for a year. I used to love tandoori chicken just like you but I gave it up for life. I didn't drink but I smoked for two years. Now, I have given up smoking for life, non-veg too and Diet Coke as well, which I used to love. (Laughs)
You seem to love adding extra alphabets to your film's title too.
So? All my films are numerologically spelt, even Pooja Bhatt-directed Kajraare and it's one word. Everyone asks me, 'What nonsense is all this?' (Laughs) Why four Zs in Karzzzz? But it's because of numerological or astrological advice. They have helped me.
How do you convince your producers?
About chaar Z laga do bhai? (Laughs) I don't force the producers. I just ask them and what's the harm in taking precautions.
Aren't you afraid you will run out steam?
I am. And that's the reason I never stick to what I have done successfully''' be it music or films. In music, I moved from the melodious to techno to sufi. I did a film with a cap. Now you see me without it. You can't be in love with your past glories.
You made the baseball cap a hit.
It was a phase and now it's over. In the Ek hasina thi song, I am not nasal at all. That doesn't mean I won't sing in my nasal voice, or what you call naaq se gaana. (Laughs) But I need to surprise the audience constantly.
What happened to your plans to launch HR products? That didn't work?
It was a tie-up with Pantaloon for a year and it's over. About the music school, I have been tied up with other things. There is no point in doing something half-heartedly.
Talking about that, will you be doing the kiss scene in Kajraare?
We have yet to decide whether the kiss will be there or not. Pooja and Mahesh Bhatt will take the final call. I won't be comfortable doing the scene but never say never. (Laughs)
Does your wife know about it?
(Side-stepping the question) But like I said, the scene isn't there as of now.
Does that mean that you will be uncomfortable shooting intimate scenes?
(Laughs) No way I am going to enjoy doing intimate scenes. But as far as acting goes, I may be uncomfortable doing physically intimate scenes, but I can't look uncomfortable on screen.
How do you react to criticism?
I accept criticism to better myself. I have always said that I want to win over that one per cent section that is not with me. If I can't in Karzzzz, then there will be a next time. I don't have a I-don't-care-about-them attitude because it does affect me''' that one per cent opinion.
One of your films is titled Hey Gujju. Are you making fun of the word Gujju?
No''' no... it's not a personal comment. In the movie, the character is proud to be a Gujju. It's a cute connotation rather then a derogatory one because it's not a film with a serious statement. I play a double role of a conventional Gujarati and that of a Casanova.
So are you a Casanova in real life?
Oh, no. To be a Casanova, you need time, and I don't have that luxury. (Laughs)
Finally, do you feel bad when people say you have a nasal tone?
There was a long battle when I argued about that. There are other high pitch or sufi singers who aren't called nasal singers, then why me? That's when the whole episode of Asha Bhosaleji happened where she said 'main thapad maar dungi'. I apologised because I didn't want to hurt anyone. Now I say, 'Haan main naaq se gaata hoon' so that people are happy and the controversy ends. I sang Kitna pyar karte hain tumhe sanam in low pitch for the film Banaras. I even got critical acclaim for the first time but people didn't realise I sang it! (Laughs)
How would you like to be know as a singer or actor?
Both
Your favourite film?
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
Not Karz, the old one?
Of course, if you ask me top five films, it would figure on the list. But my favourite film is DDLJ.
How many times have you seen DDLJ?
About 16 or 18 times
Favourite song?
It's definitely Aapki kashish sarfaroosh hai.
Nasal tone or the regular?
Nasal is fantastic but I have sung Ek hasina thi in my regular mid-range and that tone is what is going to work the most in the long run.
What do you like more khaman dhokla or white dhokla?
The white one but I am off dhoklas because of my weight.
But you are so lean.
Ya, but I have to maintain it. Now I am into naachni rotis and khakras. Despite being a dhokla boy, I have stopped eating dhoklas. It's very fattening man. (Laughs)
Which look do you prefer, with cap or with hair?
The cap has been my identity. Right now, Monty is the flavour of the season.
What happened to all the caps?
Oh, I have it in store and I always look at them and then I look at my hair and I say, 'Bhaiiya, aab issme bhi bhagwan success kara de'. (Laughs out loud)
How many caps do you own?
I have more than 2,000 caps!
Marriage to you is...
A commitment
Don't you get distracted?
I can't afford to.
Being a Gujarati to you means'''
That is my identity and I am proud to be one.
