She was fantastic. Of course she had a problem learning Tamil. But she worked really hard on it. She is super enthusiastic. One thing I liked about her is that she is a professional and punctual.

Did you play any pranks on her or vice versa?

We pulled a few pranks but didn't dare to do anything spooky because we were all spooked as it is. I loved working with Poonam Dhillon. I have always been her fan. She is amazingly beautiful even at this age. She is very technologically savvy and is on the sets with all kinds of gizmos. It felt like I had two families on the sets.

What's next?

It is 13B now, after which Sikander releases. Then I have Leena Yadav's Teen Patti with Amitabh Bachchan, Pierce Brosnan and Saira Mohan. Then there is 3 Idiots and a couple more projects.

Could you tell us about 3 Idiots?

I am sorry, I can't talk about it. I am sworn to secrecy.

You have shifted to Mumbai... Was it a conscious effort to help your career?

I have created another base in Mumbai. So I have bases in Mumbai and Chennai. I wanted to be with my family. If I am shooting in Mumbai, then there is no point of them staying in Chennai and me missing them all the time. Since my son is very young, I am making sure I am spending as much time as possible with him.

Why is it that in many of your films we see you as a part of an ensemble cast (Mumbai Meri Jaan) or a side actor (Guru)? Why don't you do more hero-centric roles?

I completely agree with you. I wouldn't have done Guru had it not been for Mani Ratnam. I think I deserve to play much more than just a character in any film and it doesn't do good to my Hindi or Tamil image. So I am not playing any more character roles.

Since you are Mani Ratnam's favourite, why aren't you doing his Raavan?

I don't think there is any place for me in the film. There is something that he respects about me. So if I'm not cast in the film, then I don't deserve to be there in terms of character.

After doing five films back to back with him, I can't complain that he hasn't taken me in this film. There has to some freedom involved or the credibility for the last five films go away. I don't think he will cast me because I am his favourite or because we are family friends.

What about the rumours of a tiff between the two of you?

Oh yes. Every time we meet we try and box our noses. I don't know why [laughs]. That's the most obvious but stupid conclusion. I am sure the audience is far more intelligent than that. Just because we have done five films back to back and not doing the next, it doesn't mean we are fighting.

It is really ridiculous. But the more you try to justify it, it looks like a lie. So I am not saying anything. So if there is anything that he thinks I deserve, I will do it anyway. But I am sure he will not call me unless he thinks I fit the role.

In case of Ayitha Ezhuthu, nobody in the world would have cast me in that role except for Mani, because he believed I could do it. He made me go bald and build my physique. So it requires a certain amount of vision to be able to do that.

Listen: Tum Mile
Also Read: Shilpa Shetty's Desire

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