Aiming for the stars

Do you also credit Johar for backing you even after

the release?

In fact,all the credit goes to him. When he cast us — Varun Dhawan,Alia Bhatt and me — he had decided to back us until we established ourselves. He wants to nurture talent and give back what he got from the industry. Besides,as a producer,he regularly faces problems with getting dates from stars,so he is trying to create a fresh talent pool.

So does Johar take all the career-related decisions for the three of you?

We do seek his advice often. Dharma is unique that way because unlike corporates,it is run by an individual,so the atmosphere is more warm and welcoming. Alia and I are often at the Dharma office. But then,Varun and I are used to being there for over four years now since we both worked with Karan as assistant directors on My Name Is Khan.

Dhawan and you have been friends ever since?

Yes,and since we stayed together as crew members in Los Angeles during the shooting of My Name Is Khan,we share that camaraderie that comes with familiarity.

Do youngsters work with Dharma as ADs in hope of bagging a role?

Now they do. I did want to become an actor but I didn’t join Dharma in hope of bagging a role. I didn’t know how to tell my father that I wanted to be an actor without understanding how a film set or the business works. This opportunity just happened.

But Dhawan,Bhatt and you are viewed as a package deal ever since SOTY released. Isn’t that a deterrent?

It’s only a matter of our second releases; once that happens,we’ll develop our own identities as actors,good or bad.

You are likely to have three releases next year.

Yes,but my first will be Hasee Toh Phasee in February 2014 before Ekta Kapoor-produced The Villain and Remo D’ Souza’s next. Hasee… has Parineeti Chopra opposite me and almost feels like a launch all over again since this will be my first as a solo hero. There will be no one to share the blame with since Parineeti has already proved herself.