“ I DON’T REACT TO CRITICISM”
Abraxas NU caught up with the Bollywood actor and producer when he was in the Capital recently to promote his new film Welcome Back.
What would you say about your growth in this industry?
I feel like I’m an integral part of the industry today. I believe that now I’ve become a producer and also given the fact that I’m acting, I feel like a family with my producers and talk more openly with them. If somebody addresses the Hindi film industry today, I feel that I’m also being addressed.
When it comes to films, do you have a favourite genre? You’ve been seen in action films, comedies and so on.
I’m most comfortable in action movies, but I love comedy. I find it easier to do action movies, but comedy is a different sort of challenge. Sabse mushkil genre hai comedy, sabse mushkil hota hai logo ko hasana. These kinds of films have to be watched with family and friends to be actually enjoyed.
You’ve been a part of more successful comedy films than action ones. What do you have to say about that?
You know, that is actually a very interesting observation. If you look at my filmography, every comedy film I’ve done has been a hit. People accept comedy very easily. I wasn’t comfortable before – I remember when we were shooting for Garam Masala. I was new to the industry, and imagine coming on the set aur aap ke saamne pehle hi scene meinParesh (Rawal) and Rajpal (Yadav) aapke saath screen share kar rahe hai. I want to give credit to Priyadarshan and Akshay, jinki wajah se main yahan pe pahuncha hoon. The benefit of comedy is that set pe sab positive rehtehai.
You made your debut as a producer with Vicky Donor in 2012. Ayushmann ne ek baar kaha tha ki Vicky Donor ka sequel bane, lekin aap ready nahi hai…
Main ready nahi hoon?Nahi, aisa kuch nahi hai. I’ll be honest with you; there are some films that should just be left as they are. Har film ka sequel nahi bann sakta. Take Dostana for example, iska sequel nahi banna chahiye, kyunki wo time pe homosexuality was a taboo and stretching this issue will definitely make the audience bore. Vicky Donor is a film which at this point in time we don’t want to make a sequel to. Agar mauka mile, agar ek acchi script aaye hamare haath mein, to hum definitely banayenge.
How do you react to criticism?
I am a human being and earlier I used to react. But it has been about 13 years now and I don’t keep any newspapers in the house. So in a way, it works for me. It’s natural to get affected; now I don’t react. Over the past few years, I have acquired a sense of maturity to tackle negative reviews. I don’t need reviews to tell me how a film is. When people from my fraternity congratulated me for Madras Cafe and the film was appreciated by the audience, it was enough. So I don’t react (to criticism). We don’t disrespect critics, but they need to realise the hard work that goes behind every project.
What’s next in production for you?
We are working on various projects. My next Rocky Handsome is a co-production. ShrutiHaasan is also working with me in the film and it is going to release in January or February next year.
What’s your fitness secret?
On screen, I’ve smoked a lot, but in real life I’m pretty disciplined. I have never touched alcohol in my life, no drugs – nothing. I don’t cheat on food. I go to the gym daily. They say your body is a temple – so I worship it daily.
Is there anything you’d like to say to the people who look up to you?
Always work hard and be fit.
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