'Our Industry Has Had Only One King: Mr Bachchan'

You seemed pretty confident of the success of Singh Is Kinng. It was evident in the way you promoted it so aggressively. What made you so sure?

I was not sure at all. It is our first home production under the banner Hari Om Productions so I did a little bit extra for it, did a little more than I normally do. Am glad it has been received so well, that the first film from a production house named after my father has become the biggest hit of recent times. The confidence came only after the release. I get very edgy on the day of my film’s release. My wife stays away from me, gives me a breather. It’s only now that I am relaxed and going for a holiday. 

But you have hardly been in the country this year, always traveling on work…

It’s just that the projects I liked turned out to be all based abroad. But it’s tough. You miss your family, they have to travel along; my kid’s teacher also comes along. My son has already seen half the world. He would have learnt far more from traveling than at school. It is such an eye-opener, widens your horizon. 

Everyone is calling you the King now…

Such titles don't matter. I concentrate on entertaining people. Why chase something that is transitory? Our fortunes change every Friday. It’s a scary thought to be competing all the time. Our industry has had only one King: Mr Bachchan. It’s been 40 years and he is still ruling. 

Hasn’t the industry ignored you, seen you as a "massy" guy than the "classy" hero?

Darling, it's unfortunate that only when you make a serious film are you taken seriously. It's a shame that my films that have been made for countless viewers are not seen to be in the same league as those made for a few critics or intellectuals.And who says classy people don’t see my films? My film is doing well everywhere—Metro and New Excelsior; Mulund andBorivli. 

They are saying that you have made a dent into the Khan monopoly in Bollywood

One surname can’t dominate the industry. It belongs to everyone, not just the Khans, Kapoors and Kumars. That makes it a 3K industry by the way. How many films can I do?Three or four per year. Rest of them will be done by others. 

You charge an obscene amount per film. Is it true?

You need to sell a film sensibly, not on the basis of the star’s last success. One should not price it too highly. Ultimately, we want the film to run and earn money. Only then can the industry survive. As an actor I must also know the reality of the business. I take a cut in the producer’s earnings. If they earn so doI. If not, then I don’t make money either. So that figure varies from film to film. 

Are you getting more adventurous with your choice of films in the future? Isn’t it time to change course?

I love to entertain and choose scripts accordingly, not for the sake of being different. I am doing Nagesh Kukunoor’s psychological thriller Eight By Ten. 80% of Blue has been shot underwater. It has sharks and hidden treasures, the kind of things we don’t see in Hindi films. Chandni Chowk to China is an autobiographical film, how I started as a cook and a martial arts expert. It’s the first half of my journey. May be I will make a sequel to it which will be about my second innings; I will call that China to Bollywood. 

So was Bollywood always on your agenda?

No, never. It just happened. It’s a long story that goes from Delhi to Bombay to Bangkok to Dhaka to Cal to Delhi and then back to Bombay. I was a martial arts instructor. Someone suggested that I should model. I used to make Rs 5000 per month as a martial arts instructor. And here I was making Rs21,000 in two hours in an A/C room posing with beautiful models. I too have a human mind. I realized money was in showbiz. 

I was born and grew up in Chandni Chowk in Delhi—1180, Chchatta Madan Gopal, Parathewali Gali—I used to go every morning to Gurudwara Sheesh Ganj. When I was struggling I also did the rounds of my father-in-law’s office. I couldn’t imagine I would marry his daughter one day. Such is life! 

What worked for Happy Singh (his character in SIK)?

He is a simple guy, very positive. It boils down to how it was written. Perhaps it wouldn’t have worked if the character were not so loveable, if he was a villain. 

You didn’t like Tashan, did you?

I am very proud of Tashan and loved Bachchan, my character in it. If it were released properly without any trouble with the multiplexes it would have been a different story. 

People have compared you to Govinda, Dharmendra…

I take it as a compliment. At least I am getting compared to the best. 

What made you go for IPL?

Because cricket and Delhi is me. I have done Khatron Ke Khiladi because stunts is me. I never did any game shows because it’s not me 

And what makes you choose a certain film?

The more you think, the more wrong decisions you can make. I go with entertaining scripts, roles I can play with conviction. So people liked me even in a negative role, like inAjnabee.

My belief is that you can’t manipulate destiny, you can only move it with hard work. Ultimately God is the best script-writer.