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Journalism of Courage
You’re making your film debut with a movie titled Khel. Quite a coincidence for a cricketer.
Not really. There’s nothing of the cricketer in this thriller. I play Rohan Poddar who lives off his forefathers and is an easy-going chap. See, this scene is a funeral and I’ve just turned up in a bright red shirt!
Hmmm, from wife Aditi Jaitly to Celina Jaitley (your heroine in Khel).
Now, that’s a coincidence! They spell their names differently—one is from UP and I think Celina’s from Punjab. But there are no similarities that I know of.
We’ve seen some pretty steamy kisses in the promos between Celina and you.
This is a Hindi movie with love and passion. I’m just diving into the job like any other. I get the feel of the scene from my director.
Can you compare cricket with films?
I think they are poles apart. Cricket deals with reality—11 people go on the field with no script or chances of a retake. No one can get a 100 out of me on the field, but a director can create it in a movie. In films, everything is rehearsed and fictional.
You rocked at the Indian International Film Awards performance. Where did you learn to dance like that?
I started dancing to the song only six days before I performed. I’ve never performed on stage, even in school, or been to classes. I got so many complaints over the years that I spent more time in discos, but it finally paid off!
The Punjabi song Sharata was great. I identified with it because guys in the North think it’s the ultimate to drink more and have a better time than the next guy. The best compliment came from Sunny Gavaskar. I was backstage, but I heard him say that it looks as if I’m fit and raring to go. I partied later with Zaheer, Ashish and Harbhajan. They complimented me, but all of them have been pulling my leg since I started acting.
Have you seen Vinod Kambli’s film?
Yes, he’s a great actor; I’ve known that from the dressing room. But I felt bad that there wasn’t someone to launch him properly.
Whatever happened to your budding golf career?
I haven’t played golf (my handicap was four) since my son Aiman was born six months ago.
It didn’t hit me in the first month when he was at my mother-in-law’s house. After he came home, I haven’t gone anywhere without him. Between shots, I just sit in the make-up van, playing with him.
Wasn’t there some proposal to open a restaurant?
No, my friends started one and I just helped them out. I think only a person like Tendulkar can carry off a restaurant completely by himself.
There’s nothing at the moment, but if I did open a restaurant, it would be a sports cafe with a variety of Indian cuisines.
With your reputation for masti, were there pranks on the sets?
Sunil anna is the biggest guy for masti and there was a lot on the sets. But we haven’t played cricket because I just sit all dressed up and can’t afford to sweat!
Have you seen your rushes yet?
I have, but I don’t understand cinema very well. So I don’t know how it will finally look. Like every other person, I admire Amitabh Bachchan. I don’t imitate anyone, just put myself in the situation. And I love myself on screen or off screen.
So are you ready for your comeback to domestic cricket?
I’m fitter than I used to be while I was playing. I’m three kilos lighter because I have time after shooting to go to the gym and run. I don’t have to prove my ability. It’s back to cricket now, I’ll stick to what I’m good at.
