It feels good when people appreciate my performance. Although I have been offered innumerable films after the success of Kasoor, I have not signed that many films. My policy is quality rather than quantity. I have just four films coming up - Pyaasa, Kya Yehi Pyar Hai, Suno Sasurjee & Awara Pagal Deewana which will all release in 2002. These are all backlogs and after these films I have just three films in hand, signed after Kasoor.
In Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega & Pyar Ishq Aur Mohabbat, were you apprehensive of being shortchanged, the films both being multi-starers?
I knew the characters I was to play in both the film so it was never a bother. I was confident of both my directors and knew they would never take sides, which would eventually damage the length of my role in the film. I like to experiment with roles and both the films gave me that opportunity. I donīt regret Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat unlike what my friends and well-wishers feel. I knew Arjun Rampal had the best role and I was prepared for it from the onset so there was never any question of being shortchanged.
Your forthcoming release is Boney Kapoorīs Koi Mere Dil Se Pooche. Tell us about your role in the film?
I play the role of a guy who loves this girl (Esha Deol) intensely and never gives up on her even though she doesnīt respond to his affection at any stage. The girl has a deep secret, which stops her from responding to me, and this is unveiled in the course of the film.
In Pyaasa, you once again play a character with shades of grey like Kasoor. Do you have a fascination with evil?
My role in Pyaasa is not like Kasoor as it is on a different plane altogether. I like variety in my roles than sticking to one genre, and I have a chance to experiment with a lot of filmmakers offering me diverse roles thanks to the reasonable success of my previous films. In Pyaasa my character has grey shades but he has his reasons, unlike the psychopath I played in Kasoor.
It is rumored that you are involved with Esha Deol romantically! Are there going to be wedding bells in the near future?
The rumors are just that - rumors, which both of us have learnt to ignore in good time. I guess this is because we are working together in a film. We are good friends only and there is no romantic involvement. Platonic is the word here. So cut out the wedding bells!
