The actor, who has proved himself with his versatile performances, spoke to Subhash K Jha about Chori Chori, which releases on August 1.
Chori Chori
is finally releasing this Friday...Yes. It should have released long ago, but producer Raju Narula died, leaving behind liabilities worth around Rs 8 crore [approximately US $1.7 million]. I'm glad the financial problems have been sorted out.
Chori Chori
is a light romantic film. It falls in the smile-on-your-face genre of one of my films, Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha [opposite Kajol]. There is no slapstick comedy or heavy-duty melodrama. It's a feel-good romantic comedy.How is Rani Mukerji as a co-star?
Very fine. Chori Chori is my first film with Rani. I am doing two other films with her: LoC and Mani Ratnam's next.
There has been a major improvement in her as an actor. The same is true of me too, I guess. You have to be open to new ideas and experiments. That's the only way to grow as an actor.
Your earlier film with director Milan Luthria,
Kachche Dhaage, was a surprise hit.Tell us about your Mani Ratnam film.
I play a strong, energetic character who thinks he can bring a change in society. He thinks he can get rid of the rubbish in our political system. He is an intellectual rebel. I love my role! It's the story of three young people: Abhishek [Bachchan] and Vivek [Oberoi] and me, and how our lives get influenced by each other.
My role in Rajkumar Santoshi's Khakee will surprise the audience.
You have a large number of releases this year.
That can't be helped. Films are ready and they have to be released. I can't stop them for my personal reasons.
You have become a father...
It's a great feeling! Fatherhood makes me feel more responsible. I want to get back home as soon as possible. Every time I shoot outside Mumbai, all I think is how to get back to my wife [Kajol] and baby [Nysa]. She's just three months old and cannot travel with me. Nysa is named after a Greek goddess. I chose it. I had it in mind for the last six years!
Nysa's arrival has brought me great luck. I have just won my second National award.
What about Kajol's career?
At the moment, she is too occupied with the baby to think of anything else. But I have no objection to her pursuing a career as long as she can balance it well with her home.