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'It is a blatant lie if you have heard that I charge Rs 20 to Rs 30 million'

Why was Bhanu Athaiya designated Lagaan's costume designer?

Well, the costumes of this film are very important because it is a period film -- the story goes back a 100 years. So you need somebody who has a great knowledge of the period, of 100 years ago, that is.

Bhanuji is, to begin with, a very good designer. Plus, she is one person who has a lot of knowledge about different periods. As you know, she has also won the Oscar for the film, Gandhi. She was the ideal choice for our film.

Do you think the new generation cinegoers, reared as they are on a diet of the Internet and the computer, will accept a film based in 19th century India?

Yes, I think so. I don't believe that the audience decides in advance whether or not they will watch a period film or something like that. If that was the case, then Mughal-e-Azam would never have done well because it was set in the 15th century.

If a film is made well, the cinegoers are not concerned with the period or the era it is set in. Even today, if you make film on a contemporary subject, it may still not do well. Even films made on the events of 1999 or 2000 do not guarantee any success.

The main thing is that the film has to be good, period or not. The story is important, the script is important. And the execution of the film is very important.

Do you believe in the number games? Do you strive to be number one?

I would just like to be the most loved and respected actor in the country. If you call this the number game, well, then I believe in it!

As a film person, to what extent have you been influenced by your father?

I've been very much influenced by him. I have grown up with him. I have learnt a lot of good qualities from him. I always admired his straightforwardness, his honesty and the way he dealt with people. He is a man of his word and a man of honour. I have learnt all these things from him.

How do you look back on your career, now that you have completed 10 years in Bollywood?

I think it has been a good learning experience. I am quite happy with the kind of response that the audience has given my work, my films. In fact, I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for the love and respect they have shown for me all these years.

What is it that frustrates or irritates you about the Hindi film industry?

Indiscipline. Indiscipline of any kind and in any way.

What do you feel about the controversy triggered by Deepa Mehta's Water?

I am not aware about what exactly is happening with regard to Water. Whatever I have read and heard suggests that her script has been submitted to I & B ministry. And we should respect the I & B ministry. If we have elected those members, we should respect what they have decided.

Do you prefer to act in films like 1947: Earth?

Every film has its own charm. It's not that I prefer an off-beat film to a regular commercial film. If a film is good, whether it is off-beat or a regular commercial one, it will do well.

How do you view the awards system in Bollywood?

I don't believe in awards. I find there is a lot of inconsistency in the kind of awards programmes like Filmfare, Screen-Videocon, etc, that are organised in our country. I prefer not to associate myself with them.

What is your strength as an actor?

My strength as an actor is that I know my weaknesses! There are a lot of areas in which I can still improve as an actor.

How would you rate yourself in the highly competitive world of Bollywood?

As far as signing more and more films are concerned, I am not in the competition at all. I sign very few and very select films. Of course, if the competition is limited just to good acting, there is no going back.

And let me tell you, it is a blatant lie if you have heard that I charge Rs 20 to Rs 30 million to work in a film. These are rumours only. I never like to talk and work in terms of statistics. But I must say I am perfectly happy and satisfied with whatever I get in terms of money.

Is there any particular film for which you had high hopes but which bombed at the box office?

Yes, Akele Hum Akele Tum, in which my co-star was Manisha Koirala. Although it wasn't a complete flop, it nevertheless didn't do as well as it was expected to.

And would you believe it, I got so nervous at its failure that, once, I literally cried? Manisha, too, had worked hard for that film. Of course, this is not just with me. Any artiste is disappointed when his or her film does not produce the desired results.

You have been been giving one superhit film every year for the last few years. In 1999, you stole the thunder with Sarfarosh. What is in store for the year 2000?

Lagaan, of course!