club). So does that put extra pressure each time you pair up?
No, we may want our film to do well at the BO, but there's never a pressure as such. Rohit and I, both have been in the industry long enough to not succumb to such pressures at all. Our only concern is to make an entertaining product, but the Rs 100-crore tag is not something that we lose our sleep on.

Isn't your friendship likely to be affected now that Rohit is working with actor Shah Rukh Khan?
Not at all. Our friendship extends beyond the professional space and just like I am working with other directors, it's only fair that he work with other actors too. In fact, I hope his films do well, whether with me or not.

BO collections as a hero vs critical acclaim as an actor?
Ideally, it would be both! But movie-making is an expensive affair and the money is getting bigger. With so much at stake, I would say audience acceptance is far more important than awards. So if pure masala entertainers are what they want, then that is what we are giving. Also where are those kind of serious actor roles? I haven't come across a single one that would make me want to take that risk of stepping out of the hero zone.

You are also a producer on Bol Bachchan. Does the level of commitment as an actor change with that?
There's more involvement in the film for sure, but no matter whose money is at stake, as an actor you always give the film your best.
Are you very critical of your own films?
Yes, critical of my performance, but more practical when it comes to a film and I have rarely been wrong. So, there are times midway in a film when you just know that a film will not click, but you do it anyway because you are committed to it and you still put in your best hoping that maybe it will work.

When are you directing your next?
I think it may be another year before I take it up. I have the script in place, it's an action drama, but where's the time.

Any film with wife Kajol?
Nothing as of now.

Have you ever considered playing a superhero?
No, why would I? Our Bollywood heroes are no less than superheroes and I think the audience prefer them like that. Like why would Salman (Khan) need super powers when Chulbul Pandey can do it all without them, or even Singham (laughs).

You have been shooting back-to-back, so where does that leave family time?
Well, I have it all sorted out. So, after Bol Bachchan I will be taking a 15-day break with my family and then start work on Himmatwala and do a last schedule for Son Of Sardar.

a_shetye@dnaindia.net