Kaante has helped me to choose good films

How do you see your role in Baaz?
Interesting one. I play a cop who is after a psychopath killer. The story is based in a small town where everyone knows everyone so who is he is the big question. There’s Karisma, Dino Morea and Jackie in the film too.

You are Tinu Verma seem to be back together? How did it happen?
I had no problems with Tinu. He said a lot of things about me after I turned down the role in Maa Tujhe Salaam. It is a small industry and when Tinu gracefully said sorry I didn’t want to hold any grudges. He had felt hurt when I turned the role down he told me and wanted me to do it so he said few things but now that is all over and done with. We had a good time working together. He has made a good and different film. The film is a good thriller with some good action too.

So it is action once again for you, isnt it?
No it’s not like I am back to action. Today the scenario is a huge canvas, good story and action which works. People need a bit of everything. In the past I have dared to venture out with a Yeh Tera Ghar Yeh Mera Ghar, Ehsaas, Dhadkan but when the scene shifted to action I am doing that. Tomorrow if I get a good emotional film I wouldn’t mind doing that.

How did you benefit from Kaante?
It gave faith to me for the subjects that I chose more than anything else. Also it made me understand that the need of the hour is multi star cast films. The need of hour is also drastically different for different films.

After Karz would be cast Sunny in your home production?
Karz didn’t become a hit but it didn’t lose money either. The subject was outdated and the film was four years old. From that point of view if you see it was an expensive film that wasn’t a lost bet which says a lot for films in today’s times. It doesn’t affect the decision of casting Sunny at all.

You had a successful year in 2002.
Yeah I had a fairly good year. Though I had these hits there were guest appearances turned into roles for publicity like Anarth and an out dated film like Karz too. But that’s all in the game so I am chilled about it. I want the industry to come back to the way it was when there were at least 10 super hit films every year.

Do you have a close relationship with Sanjay Gupta?
I am quite close to him. He wanted me to work in his films but his friendship with Sanjay Dutt made him do films with him. I think as a director he is quite advanced. He is very passionate about his work and I don’t think a person like that can go wrong. He has got a winner on his hands after almost 10 years and I want him to savour every moment of it. Though it makes it difficult in the circumstances. But his accident hasn’t dulled his sprit at all.

Ek Hindustani is getting delayed isnt it?
Yeah the film has been in the making forever now. I have dubbed and finished my work for the film a long time back. I am really hoping that the film gets a release soon. It is a great subject wherein every citizen is on his own, but here the hero wants to awaken the public and help them fight for themselves. Unfortunately the sets, costumes, our looks, music everything has changed over the time yet the subject is the USP of the film and remains powerful.

Tell us about your role in Shahrukh's film Main Hoon Na.
As negative as any Indian is when his country is threatened. The film is not about a hero or heroine but different characters in a particular situation. The film has a great look and a huge canvas.


What kind of a relationship do you share with Shah Rukh Khan?
We are just about getting to know each other. All that there was in the past, things that were said is water under the bridge. There are no grudges between Shahrukh and me. I respect him a lot for what he has achieved. A non filmi boy coming here and becoming a huge star says a lot for his talent. I think we might have a good friendship here. I have never had a problem with any of my co stars. And both of us have been around for more than a decade so we know and have heard everything about each.