One of a kind

Also, he says, he refuses to play parts on-screen that don’t go with his age and maturity. "I can’t play a college student. I just won’t do that. But my co-stars, all of whom are older than me, seem to do it without any guilt whatsoever," he says. "I feel sad when I see the direction that Hindi movies are going in. I wish I could reach out to both actors and film-makers and explain my point to them," Devgan insists. "There are very few movies these days that one really wants to go and see," he adds.

He’s also very vocal about his dislike for co-stars who aren’t committed to their job. "It’s very upsetting when you’ve put in your best, but the other actor is just taking his work lightly," he explains. "I’m slowly learning how to ignore this whole chalta hai attitude. If I’m bothered by that when I’m performing, there’s no way I can do my work decently."

Admitting that he is often described as rude, aloof or snobbish, Devgan says it takes some time before the ice is broken in his relationships. "I’m perfectly fine with people I know closely, but you can’t expect me to go back-slapping someone I’ve just met," he declares. Marriage, however, he says, has made him a lot more responsible. "Besides that, there hasn’t been much of a change in me, because I was already a family conscious boy from the start," he says.

Despite having fellow filmwalas at home (daddy Veeru Devgan is a veteran action director, and wife Kajol is a celebrated actress), the actor says he doesn’t really discuss movies at the dinner table. "We have so much else to talk about," he insists. And just like any other normal couple, he takes off for holidays once a year. "We do tend to attract a lot of attention, but it’s not something we enjoy," he makes sure to mention. Revealing that biwi Kajol is handling the software part of their company, Devgan states for the umpteenth time that he hasn’t stopped her from acting in movies. "We’re a contemporary couple with our own individual views. She does her thing, I do mine," he says. "I’m sick of people saying that I’ve stopped her from working with so-and-so actor or so-and-so director. She’s free to work with whoever she pleases to," he says, disgust visible on his face.

He’s clearly a lot happier discussing work. Revealing that the National Award he earned for his powerful performance in Zakhm lies on a table in his bedroom, Devgan says he also has fond memories of his experiences working on Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. "I choose films on instinct. I don’t need a second narration. If I like the character and the story when I hear it, I agree instantly," he explains. Of late, however, Devgan says he has been turning down almost ninety per cent of the film offers coming his way. "It really has to excite me to want to do it. Just being a good script is not enough. It has to be brilliant," he says. His latest film, Deewane, in which he plays a double role, is one that excited him immensely. "There is depth to the parts I play in that film," Devgan believes.

Finally, just as he is about to return to the shoot, one asks him sheepishly whether those rumours about his wife’s pregnancy have any truth to them. "No, we’re not expecting a baby yet," he says, a smile creeping up to his lips. "Sure we want to start a family, but not just yet," he says as he heads off in the direction of the set.