‘Robot could be my last movie’

Would you rate your performance in the film as one of your best?

I play the role of a scientist Dr Borah,who is the teacher of Dr Wasi (Rajnikanth). He then becomes instrumental in making Chitti,the humanoid robot,into a destructive force because of his greed and jealousy. The role was undoubtedly challenging. This could be my last movie as I don’t see anybody else making a bigger film in India.

Rajnikanth and you have known each other for a long time. What do you admire most about him?

We have done three films — Andha Kanoon,Hum and Bhagwan Dada — together. It’s Rajnikanth’s simplicity that impresses me the most. When I was shooting with him outside Chennai,his fans were waiting to get a glimpse of him. He walked up to them in a lungi and kurta,sans make-up. Once he is in his vanity van and is ready with his costume,however,his body language changes completely. Rajni had to be a part of Robot if they were to recover Rs 175 crore.

Did you follow a long list of commandments,like not working on Sundays nor shooting in summer even during the making of Robot?

Yes. I always make my preferences clear at the beginning. Initially when I came to Mumbai and bagged Dhund ,everyone appreciated the ‘chinky-eyed’ boy. After that I signed 40 films and worked three shifts a day. I did that for four months until I got jaundice. After I recovered,I returned 36 signing amounts and decided to do just one or two films a year.

Does this also give you time for your other businesses?

I go to my breweries in Sikkim,Assam and Orissa twice a year. But this hasn’t interfered with my acting. I only take up roles which I find challenging. I am never tempted by money. That’s the reason,I have done just 170 films.

At the Robot music launch,you said you don’t look Indian. Is this a drawback even now?

It was initially. I myself found it weird when I was offered roles to play brother to actors like Shashi Kapoor,Dharmendra and Shatrughan Sinha among others. I did not resemble them at all. The mindset changed when I played Shashi Kapoor’s brother in Fakeera and the movie became a huge hit.