You've earned a superstar tag, and your comic roles are very appreciated, but awards juries don't take them seriously. This is a problem with the West as well. Do you feel neglected by Indian awards shows?
Yes, but I don't understand why. What is a 'comedy film'? What is a 'comedian'? I'm not a comedian! It's a film, I'm a hero, and it has a touch of comedy. A comedian is a different category. Here, people don't know how to categorise films. And they categorise too much.
Now, if someone does too many historical films, should we refer to them as Historical Heroes? Should we have a Best Romantic Hero? It's stupid to slot actors like this.
Are award shows fair? For one, there are so many. And secondly, pretty much every successful film gets an award, consolatory ones like Critics' Awards and so on.
It's a money-spinning thing. It's all about your TRPs on TV. And how each show is rated. Earlier, there was a glamour factor to an 'awards night,' but now it's just a rewards night. That's all.
What about you? Are you disappointed by the lack of awards?
Who doesn't want to get an award? It's great to get an award for a successful film.
What do you think you'll have to do? Different roles...
You have to lobby for it. You have to sit down, talk to people, and make them understand. Negotiate. That sort of thing. That's how you succeed in getting an award. It's a very sad thing that actors have to do that, but it happens. I've never done it, which is why I've never won an award.
Are you going to try that now?
Do you think I should? Would it be fair? Are you trying to make me cheat? Shouldn't be a difficult job (laughs). I could have done it. I could have won many awards. But I don't want to get awards like that. I'd rather get them on my merit, rather than lobby for them.