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Don John
How did you react to the box-office show of 'Paap' and ' Aetbaar' having failed badly?
Accepting it is the key to all problems, it just irons the creases. There was this reporter who asked me'Aap ki picture khass hahi chali, and I turned around and told him 'Khass ki baat nahi hai, picture chali hi nahi. Unless you don't admit it to yourself, people around me are not goingto be honest and that is not the best situation to be in. I konw that even at this point of time, I don't have the complete capacity to pull in an audience; but I believe that the hero of any movie is the script. You see it happen to a lot of actors that some of their films flop and yet they come back, but only a good film in totality helps them. I am not blaming anybody since I used my instincts to their fullest when I chose both these films. I have worked hard and my work has shown.
Do you experience more pressure now?
I don't want to sound like an escapist, but the pressure is less because my next three movies are all multi-starrers. I have a YashRaj film, 'Dhoom', a Venus film, 'Elaan', and Ahmed Khan's Lakeer', that are due for release. Of course, this was not a conscious decision, but this is how it happened. There is bound to be a bit of pressure, I am not anxious by a release, so I am neither euphoric nor downcast by its failure. The public is very forgiving.
When you took on 'Paap', was it the female-oriented film that it turned out to be?
'Paap', when narrated to me, like 'Jism', was a female-oriented film. I believe that Pooja is very sensitive director who is in sync with me aesthetically, and I like working with her. Even though a lot of people shy away from women-oriented films, I knew that Pooja would be fair, and she was.
Do you have any solo-hero films?
Yes,I have Harry Baweja's film directed by music video mogul, Sanjay F. Gupta, and 'Mumkin'. Just recently, at a meeting, I was telling Harry that more than Sanjay being excited about working with me, I am excited about working with him. I had already seen his work in the videos with Alisha, etc. and I genuinely believed that he had something to give films. In terms of 'Elaan', I am sure I am absolutely in safe hands. Then, there is Sunil Darshan's solo-hero film, where the two heroines have not been finalised yet, and I am doing Deepa Mehta's movie 'Full Moon', which was supposed to be done by Rahul Khanna.
What if those are sorted out, will Bipasha accept your working with her arch rival Kareena?
Bipasha has no problem if I work with Kareena'. We don't discuss our co-actors. In fact, once, off the cuff, Bipasha did say that I should work with established actresses and that did include Kareena. It is obviously going to help me because I am a newcomer, and I am very clear of the fact that I still need to set base and I need all the support possible.
Good times juxtaposed with bad times, does it put a lot of pressure on your relationship?
Professionally, no matter what happens, my personal life does not have repercussions. I make money tomorrow, or maybe overdrawn, but that does not affect my personal life.
But it does change plans. Like marriage, which might have looked pretty close currently, must be far removed from your mind.
No, no, nothing like that. My plan this time and any other time has been work. Fortunately for me, 'Jism' did well and I had a jumpstart in my career. But now, it is about sustaining. We both are just working as of right now.
Looking at the flow of the current today, is it wise of you to have signed so many films with Bipasha?
'Aetbaar' was signed before 'Jism', and post 'Jism', there has been only 'Mumkin', which again stars Priyanshu, Bipasha and me. So there is nothing solo I am doing with Bipasha, and anyway, I don't think it is a wrong choice to work with her.
No, but given fluctuating fortunes, wouldn't it have been wiser not to put all your eggs in one basket?
Ya ya, absolutely, but other heroines should work with me also. I suppose one day, all established heroines will want to work with me. But personally, I don't see a difference in working with a newcomer or an established heroine. While commercially, maybe it does make a difference to produers. In 'Dhoom', I don't have a heroine, and in 'Elaan', there is Lara Dutta. As for Bipasha, assuming that a script seemed right for her and me, I don't mind working with her again. We have been offered hundreds of films together, but we steered clear of that situation.
There is news that Arjun Rampal's role in 'Elaan' has been lengthened at your expense. Are you aware of that?
I am not aware of anything like this. I was given a narration of my role and nothing has changed because I know about that role. If it does happen in the future, I will make it clear on the sets with any producer and director that I am unhappy with the way things are going. One thign I have definitely learnt is that if you keep quiet, you are likely to be kept aside.
Do you do stunts on your own?
Except one, I have done all my stunts on my own and I enjoy doing it that way. I felt bad about that one stunt I could not do because I was running a temperature.
That involves jumping of buildings etc?
Yes, I jumped off a tower in 'Saaya' that was about 60-70ft. and without cables. We do things within safe limits though. Look at it this way, one bungee jump costs 500 dollars and a stunt gives you the same thrill, and you can also call for a retake and do it as many times as you want a thrill.
People around you aren't worried?
My mom,my manager and Bipasha do worry since I have a passion forspeed, but it's like a drug. I can only give it up temporarily. I service my own bike and I understand the machine, and that is one passion no one can take away from me.
How is the spirit today?
Nothing has changed besides the fact that I haven't been box-office rriendly. A lot of people who saw 'Paap' told me they liked it, but the problem was that not many people saw 'Paap'. In 'Aetbaar' too, a lot of people said they like my performance. The circle around me is very small and I can't use tha as a sampler. But I can't be so hard on myself. I do feel partly if not fully responsible.
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