Innocence is bliss

I have done some serious roles but people still expect me to play innocent and naughty college type roles. If that’s what suits me,it’s fine I guess. Though in this film I play an older scientist,the college is just a flashback. So it was nice that we all got a chance to play both ages.

This is the second movie you’re doing that’s based on a Chetan Bhagat novel. Are you a fan of his?
It’s just a pleasant coincidence that I was offered both these roles. I have read all of Chetan Bhagat’s books except the last one,2 States,which I will read soon. They are quite nice and I guess I just fitted the roles.

You play an engineering student in 3 Idiots,how much of a geek were you in college?
I studied commerce at Narsee Monjee. I was part of one of those groups who would hang around the canteen all day and thought themselves very cool. We did,however,have all the good-looking girls with us and everyone would be really jealous. So I was never a geek and nothing close to what I play in 3 Idiots.

We hear that Aamir Khan often advises people on their roles. Did that bother you?
He is definitely a perfectionist but I don’t know why people write negative things about that quality. He’s such a spontaneous and instinctive actor. He’s also a completely sensitive co-actor and unlike what tabloids print does not go around advising people. In fact,he was quite sweet and reluctant to give us suggestions and would always ask if we mind him offering ideas. Why would I mind? He’s one of the best actors I know.

What was the most idiotic day of the shoot?
There was a scene where the three of us had to act like we were drunk. The perfectionist that Aamir is,he came up with the idea of actually having some alcohol and then doing the shoot. I readily agreed and Madhavan was slightly reluctant but we all went ahead with it. But it was a great shoot and soon Vidhu Vinod Chopra came in and we made him have a few drinks too. That was a fun day.

What next?
I’m doing a movie called Allah Ke Bandey,which is a serious film about young boys being forced to take up guns. In contrast to that I have an out and out comedy,Toh Baat Pakki along with Tabu.