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Q. What was the most endearing moment in your school life?
A. I had this habit of making up huge stories and fooling people. I was frequently summoned to the principal's room, but my pranks were treated as crazy imagination and not crime! Some were even amused.
Q. Did you go to college?
A. Yes. I dropped out during my second year in college.
Q. Which teacher in school or college do you remember the most?
A. I remember many of my school teachers.
Q. What were your career plans when you were in college?
A. I didn't have any career plans then. It was just a routine I was going through.
Q. Did you try out other things to earn money?
A. My first job was in 1992 as assistant cinematographer for Lamhe. I was 18 then.
Q. What was your first salary? How did you spend it?
A. Oh God! I don't recall that -- must've been paltry. I remember getting paid when I worked as assistant director with Pankaj Parashar in Himalayaputra. Then (in 1994) I was paid Rs 2,500 per month. I bought CDs and partied with friends.
Q. What do you fear most?
A. Public speaking! I am very uncomfortable speaking on a public platform.
Q. How are you an actor then?
A. Acting is different -- you know what you're supposed to say.
Q. Should one take up the profession one loves or one that pays?
A. That's not an easy question to answer. There are certain qualifications required for a job that would pay well. A profession that you love is more an instinct than a job. You are drawn towards it. Channelising your love for a profession and arming yourself with necessary qualifications would do the trick.
Q. How do you cope with failure?
A. I feel a bit sad. Then I move on and start focusing on what's next.
Q. How would you describe the kids of the 90's?
A. I am not one of them. They seem happy people -- confident and have a plan for their lives. I believe all generations had its share of such kids. But every subsequent generation is more aware. I've discussed this with my parents about my kids and they tell me that their parents said the same things to them about their children -- that's us. A child's brain is like a sponge -- constantly absorbing. When exposed to a lot more you are bound to learn faster for good or bad.
Q. But does the generation lack tolerance and forbearance?
A. No. Common courtesies, decency, tolerance -- these things you learn from your home environment.
Q. Which one is better -- living for fun or with a purpose?
A. Living for a purpose is good -- but always find time for fun.
Q. Tell us about your first crush?
A. That was in school. Ah! Kya faayda, abhi, iske bare mein baat karke (What's the point in talking about it now).
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