He’s on the ascent. Critics have thumbed up his performances…but the psst psst columns haven’t been too kind to the actor who has been linked with women galore and accused of throwing major attitude within showbiz circles.. Shiney Ahuja sorts out rumours with Hiren Kotwani.
The strong buzz is that you have a major attitude problem and you are also labeled as being high-handed.
Ha ha! That’s not true at all. It could be the buzz in the media but not in the film industry. Why should I have an attitude?.. you tell me, you’re a journalist.
It could be because some people have not been able to accept me for what I am. Maybe they think I’m a small-time guy who’s trying to make it big and I don’t deserve it.. which I think is unfair.
Apparently, you only want to do lead roles now.
Well, of course I want to do only lead roles. At the same time, I don’t mind being one of the leads. If it’s a multi-starrer, it all depends on the importance of my role in the script.
Who are your friends in the film industry?
My directors Sudhir Mishra and Anurag Basu.
Why the parting ways with Mohit Suri? Reportedly, he doesn’’t ever want to work with you after Woh Lamhe.
Really? (Pretends to break into sobs) He never told me that. Ooh, I’ll never be able to work with Mohit Suri.. isn’t that sad? (Pause) Arre yaar, Mahesh Bhatt saab is very fond of me. It’s he who decides who will do what in his films. I want to work with Anurag.
Gangster was exciting, Anurag is a terrific director. All the directors I’ve worked with, have cast me again.
You’ve been portraying directors and actors in the movies (Woh Lamhe, Metro, Khoya Khoya Chand). Isn’t there the danger of getting typecast?
Hmm, at least, I’m playing well-defined characters. I’ll have to elaborate on the differences between the various characters extensively .
But broadly speaking, when I do three serious films, people tag me as a serious actor. If I do a couple of comedies, I’ll be asked if I can do serious stuff. I’d rather look at the upside. I know that I’m not playing a director in my next four films.
Has the Delhi boy in you adapted to Bombay?
What I love about Delhi is the city itself. What I love about Bombay are its people.. so there’s never been a period of adjustment.
Have you changed in any way?
Everything around me has changed, but I’m still same. I have the same kind of opinions and views that I used to. The only difference is that earlier no one would hear me out, today they do.
What would you say are your limitations as an actor.. can you play a soft guy.. can you carry out a dance number?
Well, my character in Metro is a softie.. he’s a loser.. and I love that.. because we’re not all superheroes in life. As for dancing, I think I’m a pretty good mover.. I need a good choreographer and enough time to rehearse.
The last time I performed at a couple of shows, I rehearsed for just an hour or so.. others practised for four-five hours. The more you rehearse, the better your dancing. It’s not like acting.. while emoting you can be spontaneous at times.
Couldn’t you have avoided that inconsequential role in Fanaa?
No yaar. I don’t think like that. I knew it was a brief role when I took it up. I didn’t think I’d be questioned. But when I’m asked why I did it, I see that positively, that some believe I’m worthy of better roles.
Courtesy : www.hindustantimes.com
