 How does it feel to be called a superstar? Am I called that! I am shocked also. It’s just that I am surviving doing good roles. Good films. That’s what matters at the end of the day. You’ll be forgiven if you have done a good film, a good performance and the film hasn’t done well. I just try to play powerful characters that need not always be protagonists. What is it that makes you so successful with the music of your films? I don’t know. I’ve worked with new talents, new singers, exploring new sound. Singers from Pakistan. It was after a long time that people heard something different. Even the singers they debuted with my films like Atif, Himesh or Kunal hit it really big with ‘Bheege Hont’. The music of ‘Killer’ hasn’t really picked up The music is by Sajid-Wajid. The first two tracks are based on classical old school music. And the remixes that have come now are fast paced and have caught on with the youth. When the audience goes to the theatres I am sure they will like the music even more. KK’s voice suits you… I think it is an actor’s job for anyone who has sung for him, for that moment it should suit him. So, if anyone sings for me it’s my responsibility to make it look convincing. Directors of ‘Killer’ are saying that the chemistry between you and Irfan Khan is very exciting? The chemistry between the hero and villain hasn’t been seen before. It is very unique. The title Killer may sound serious but there are lots of comic moments in the film. Irfan Khan comes from a different generation while I come from another. So the combination is unique. How different is ‘Gangster’ from ‘Killer’? We did a very serious film ‘Gangster’. My character was very serious. To detach myself from that and to do ‘Killer’ where my characters is more tapori, yuppy and energetic taxi driver was a challenge to do this comical role after ‘Gangster’.
 What about the director duo Raksha and Hasnain? I have worked with Hasnain in my first film ‘Footpath’. I met Raksha for the first time during this film. They have a good tuning. Both of them come from a different school but they function at the same frequency. It’s a thriller film and they haven’t left any stone unturned. Are you trying to change your serial kisser image? No, I am not. It’s something that has helped me reach where I am today. It would be very stupid of me to detach myself from that. There’s no conscious effort to give that image some support or break it. It is as per film or script. The audience these days makes no bones about seeing kissing scenes or an intimate scene. Whatever the script or the director wants me to do and if it is the requirement of the character then I will do it. Otherwise I shouldn’t do the film. Any kissing scenes in ‘Killer’ You’ll have to watch the film for that. I am not saying anything about that. How would you feel if you are nominated for best actor in negative role for Gangster? Actually the biggest achievement for me is that the audience has liked the film. That’s the only barometer or yardstick for an actor, director or any creative person. When the audience goes into the hall and you get an instant feedback and you get SMSs and calls and people tell you that they’ve liked your performance in the film. So that’s the battle won for me. It would be great if I am nominated but I am not complaining about anything. Gangster has done well. And my performance has been appreciated. What are your forthcoming films? Aditya Dutt’s Dil Diya Hai, Subhash Ghai’s Good Boy Bad Boy, Mohit Suri’s Awarapan and Train by Shyam Bajaj. |