Comic Trip

Few people know that the effervescent artiste started off as a salesman when he was just 17. He had an avid interest in choreography that paved his way in Bollywood. Soon he started working as an assistant to Mahesh Bhatt in films like Thikana and Kaash. He also choreographed the title track of the Anil Kapoor-Sri Devi starrer Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja. But his fortune changed when he bagged his debut role in Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited’s Tere Mere Sapne in 1996. And after that there was no looking back.

Arshad,who is presently seen on the small screen as a judge in Comedy Ka Maha Muqabla,talks about his recently released film F.A.L.T.U,his new TV show,future projects and his love for comedy.

Your film F.A.L.T.U is doing well at the box-office. Are you happy with the presence you have got in the film?
Honestly speaking,Riteish Deshmukh and I are just a part of this movie,it is not our film. It is strictly Jackky Bhagnani’s film. He is the hero. It was a fun experience though,doing this film. It also gives a good message to the youngsters. So overall,it’s a very energetic film and the music of the film rocks as well.

If the film was made just for Jackie,why did you take it up?
Well,I didn’t think along those lines while taking up this project,as I am fond of both Jackky and Vashu Bhagnani. Also,Riteish Deshmukh is a good friend .

Since you are a part of this teen film,how were you as a teenager?
I was a wild guy,I was extremely naughty. But I was a good guy and not a spoiled brat. I woke up early in life as my parents expired one after the other. I became very responsible since then.

Do you give credit to the Munnabhai films for making you what you are?
Well yes. The credit for my success goes to them. Also,I believe that if you deserve something then sooner or later you surely get it. But yes,it is these films that opened the door of success for me.

What is the status of Munnabhai Chale Amerika?
Raju Hirani is not 100 per cent convinced by the script. Once he is,he will start the shoot. The film should go on the floors by the end of this year.

What about Ishqiya 2 and Double Dhamaal?
Ishqiya 2 has been announced. It will be made with the same sensibility and probably with the same cast. And Double Dhamaal is nearly complete with just one schedule to go. It is releasing on June 10. I am playing a stupid in the film!

Any other projects that you are working on?
There is Mr Jolly LLB,it is a story about a small-time lawyer. And there is Zilla Ghaziabad,it is based on crime in the UP city. I play a negative role.

You have done so many films till date. Which according to you could have done good business at box-office?
It should be Short Kut. It was a good film,I found it hilarious,but it just got messed up at the box-office. Also,the script of Hum Tum Aur Ghost was good,it had potential,but unfortunately it didn’t do well.

As a producer,you are one film old. How do you see yourself as a producer?
As a producer,I think I am pretty good. If you ask my staff,I am sure they will say that I treated them well. I provided them everything they required.

When are you producing your next film?
The problem with production is that it takes up a lot of time. I need to finish all the films that I have signed before I produce a film again. Though my first film didn’t do well it doesn’t mean I am going to give up. I am going to try over and over again.

You are a great dancer. Any plans of getting into choreography?
I love dancing. I still dance as it makes me happy. More than the Bollywood routine,I love to do modern Jazz. Talking about choreography,a long time ago I used to run a dancing school but soon I got a film to act in and then I just couldn’t give time to my school and I had to shut it. But I did choreograph the title- track of Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja. I hope that someday a filmmaker calls me to be a part of a dance- oriented film.

Today you have grown as an actor. You are successful,own a production house. Will you be sceptical to do a film where you need to be a hero’s friend as in Munnabhai?
Well,my mentality doesn’t change with time and therefore if I am required to play a hero’s friend in any film,I would not mind taking it up if the script,the filmmaker and the actor are good. I enjoy doing good films. And as far as the Munnabhai sequel is concerned,I will be acting again opposite Sanjay Dutt. He is a senior actor,super talented and a nice guy. So I would not think twice.

Your wife Maria Goretti was once a very successful VJ. Any chances of her taking up VJing again?
No. One should realise that you are not a 16 year old to be a VJ any more. Maria cooks really well so she should do a cookery show instead ( She has already hosted one show Do It Sweet on NDTV Good Times). Cooking is her passion.

What about your kids,son Zeke and daughter Zene. Do you want them to act in movies too?
Not at all. I would want them to do whatever they like. In Salaam Namaste,Zeke had a small appearance but that is only because the director of the film got obsessed with his looks and hence I got him in the picture. Else,they are free to apply their own brains to choose and pick their careers.

You are a part of a new comedy reality TV show. Tell us about it.
The show is called Comedy Ka Maha Muqabla. It is a competition between four teams. There are Shreyas Talpade,Raveena Tandon,Shekhar Suman and my teams. We are the captians of our own teams. We write scripts and perform our skits. Based on the performances points are given and as of now,Shreyas’s team is running ahead.

There is a lot of stand-up comedy happening on TV these days. Isn’t it like an overdose?
Of course not. There should be a lot of comedy on TV. Indians are becoming very aggressive these days. And one way to keep it calm is by watching comic shows. Such shows help in maintaining mental stability. I don’t know what people want to watch,but from the looks of it,it seems people like to see other people in pain and that is what they show on TV these days. With shows like Comedy Ka Maha Muqabla,we help in bringing down the stress levels of the public.

What made you take up this opportunity?
Honestly speaking,I am doing this for money! I would be lying if I give you all the gyaan about the show. It is definitely money! I don’t have that much time to do television. Apart from that,I liked the concept of the show and the work that I have been assigned. Had I not liked it,I wouldn’t be here. If I don’t like something,I don’t take it up…then even money can’t pull me towards it.

In such reality shows the contestants tend to taunt and make fun of the judges. What if they take a dig at you? Will you be able to handle it?
Making fun or cracking a joke on someone is okay; but you shouldn’t insult anybody. It is fine to laugh at someone and fine to be laughed at. It is fine also if someone cracks a joke on you. One should not get personal or cross limits.

How do you maintain the line between being cool and being crass?
Being cool or crass depends upon a person’s sensibility. If you have a crass sensibility then no matter what you do you can’t be cool and vice-versa. It has nothing to do with the money you earn or the car you drive,it is totally based on an individual’s upbringing and his personality.

Which actor according to you has a great sense of humour in Bollywood?
Akshay Kumar has an amazing comic timing. Even Salman Khan is good at it. Then there is Riteish Deshmukh –– he is good at comedy too.

onkar.kulkarni@expressindia.com