I have moved on to mind-pulsating and mind-pumping

Sanjay Leela Bhansali and you seem to have formed a mutual admiration society. He says that you have done in Black what you haven’t don...

Sanjay Leela Bhansali and you seem to have formed a mutual admiration society. He says that you have done in Black what you haven’t done in the last 30 years?
I would agree with him. I’ve never attempted something like Black before because nobody gave me the opportunity. The film challenged and tested me to the core. I can safely say that there is not a single scene in the film that I could have done earlier.

You had to undergo some sort of training for this role, right?
Yes. Since Black is the story of a girl who has lost her speech, hearing and vision, I had to learn how to communicate non-verbally. They have their own vocabulary and actions. They express love and hate through touch. I had to learn all that. The training was very difficult because I had to work really fast. I started six months before the shooting began and even during the shoot, someone was constantly guiding us.

When was the last time you prepared for a role?
I think, most preparation comes from observation, and I am sure I must have observed people in the past. But yeah, I’ve never trained so much before. Nope, never done it before.

What’s the most important lesson you learnt from Black?
That touch is a very important form of communication.

Do hits and flops still matter?
Of course they do. I am in a commercial business. A flop is not easy to handle. And a hit makes me very happy.

Tell us how you keep the excitement alive?
I just think of the reason why we make a film. The whole idea is to show off a film to the audience. This thought keeps me going.

Your fans cribbed that you were wasted in your last few releases including Kyun Ho Gaya Na, Lakshya, Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyon etc.
I understand that there has been criticism of not being utilised completely in a few films, but when a Yash Chopra asks you to do a cameo in Veer-Zaara, you do it more for the association rather than the role. If Anil Sharma says he waited 20 years to make a film with me, I can’t say no to Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyon. If a friend like Tito says that he requires six days of my time for his son’s film Hum Kaun Hain, I can’t say no to him either. I would rather respect my emotions than worry about the disrespect of critics.

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Would you still be acting if ABCL hadn’t failed?
I don’t know. But my intention was to just take a sabbatical and come back after a good rest. It is another thing that I had to sign films and endorsements so soon because of necessity. Perhaps the decision to start working again was hastened by my compulsion. But I am glad for it.

So what’s happening to Kaun Banega Crorepati?
KBC is threatening to be back again around July. I am contractually bound to the makers of the show for 85 episodes.

Many people have written books on you, can we expect an autobiography?
No. I am not capable of it.

What’s the last film you saw?
Oh dear! I think it was Alexander and Shabd. I found Alexander too flamboyant with little substance. But Shabd is an interesting film, treated with a certain amount of difference.

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You get bored giving interviews, don’t you?
Never. Where did you get that idea?

Your body language. Please be honest.
Never. You must remember that I have been off interviews for over 18 years in my life. So, interviews are very welcome.

Mind-blowing is one of your favourite words. How often do you say it?
(Laughs) It’s reduced quite a bit now. I’ve moved on to mind-pulsating and mind-pumping. Other people also keep giving me inputs. I tell you, originality is lost in today’s world.