Cross connection

Imran: Not really,the experience was more tough than joyful. There were so many girls to scan (laughs),and sometimes they were so weird, and at times their families were so funny.

Katrina: That was till you saw my character,Dimple!

Imran: I thought you were also a bit whacko.

Katrina: But you fell for me,don’t you?

Imran: Oh yes!

In real life,how difficult was it finding a bride for yourself?

Imran: I have been with the same girl for nine years so I don’t really know what hunting for a bride is like. But I have an insight into how to keep a relationship going,and my friends are forever asking me for advice on that.

Katrina: So what was your first reaction when the film was offered to you?

Imran: I was wary of playing a character who goes bride-hunting. I am a shy person and I felt I couldn’t do it. In fact I told Ali (director Ali Abbas Zafar) I didn’t know if I was the right choice for the part of Kush (my character) who was a very simple and relatable Dehradun boy. You know,the kind who is not smart or heroic.

Katrina: So what did he say?

Imran: Ali was very confident. He said he wanted to present me in a way no one had ever done before and show a different side of my personality. Frankly it was only because of Ali\’s help that I could bring Kush alive on screen.

Katrina: And mine too!

Imran: Yes,of course,and your help. But let me tell you that Kush was more difficult to play than Toshi of Delhi Belly. The film is a full-on masala Bollywood potboiler,and a space in which I am not comfortable.

Katrina: But why,you are from a Hindi film family?

Imran: That\’s true,but when growing up I used to watch mostly Hollywood films. So I couldn\’t really connect,but it was fun once I started shooting. After all,this has been the real culture of Hindi films over the years.

What did you enjoy doing most in the film?

Imran: I throughly enjoyed doing the title-track where I play a tribute to Aamir,Shah Rukh and Salman by mimicking their most famous dance steps.

Katrina: Did you enjoy doing that?

Imran: Yes,I liked mimicking Salman\’s moves! His signature steps from Dabangg are the best. Doing Shah Rukh\’s Chhaiyya chhaiyya on the train was the trickest,as at times I would go off balance. What about your character Dimple ? What did you like about her?

Katrina: Dimple was mad,bindaas,and funny,a girl I thought was very fascinating. I accepted the film

immediately.

Do you play a rockstar in the film?

Katrina: No no,Dimple is not a rockstar. She\’s a college-going girl and Dhunki,the rockstar song that she sings,is during a college event.

Did anyone help you enhance your character?

Katrina: Oh yes,Ali Zafar,my co-star who is a musician helped me with the song sequences,especially for the Dhunki number. He taught me how to hold the guitar and even gave me some lessons in how to play one.

Imran: I like Ali\’s (Ali Zafar the actor) role of my elder brother. In fact I told the director that he should get a good actor for the part as the character has a lot of nuances. It was he who suggested Ali,and I was all for it.

Katrina: If that was so good didn\’t you feel like playing that role yourself?

Imran: No,no,otherwise how would I get to romance you?

Did you ever think about the audience accepting the film\’s storyline,you know,a guy falling for his brother\’s bride-to-be?

Imran: See,Ali was sure how to do this without hurting the sentiments of the audience. So a lot of love and humour has gone into the film,and the subject is treated in a light way. Katrina even slaps me when I tell her that I love her.

But I think she also wanted to make sure that I did not do such a thing in real life,because there were 16 retakes for the slap scene! (laughs)

Katrina: It was not intentional (giggles).

Imran: But I have to admire your dedication to your work. It was more than mine,and I felt embarrassed when I saw the way you would go about your work. Get up early,rehearse,shoot,then go back and practise your dance.

Katrina: But MBKD was not an exception,I do that for all my films!

Imran: Phew! So what expectations do you have from MBKD,and are you nervous?

Katrina: I know everyone is going to enjoy the humour,the film\’s songs and the interesting storyline! Not to worry.

geety.sahgal@expressindia.com