i spy

Most of us from the present generation grew up watching Dhawan’s comedy flicks. Which one has been your favourite?
Raja Babu is an out-and-out winner. In fact,working with David and Govinda was the reason I signed this film. I grew up watching their films and would often think this doesn’t make sense but is really funny. You wonder whether it’s just good fun to watch these films or they’re also good to be a part of them. Then you grow up and meet that very filmmaker who also appreciates your work and offers you a role. You see it’s the perfect chance to make your fantasy and reality meet.

Which other actors do you think have good comic timing?
Govinda and Riteish Deshmukh are excellent. Riteish,in fact,is underrated and understated,I would say.

Do Knot Disturb,Raat Gayi Baat Gayi and Tina ki Chaabi — the three movies we see you next in are all comedies. Do you feel you have established yourself in a genre that is already crowded?
I am absolutely comfortable doing comedy — I’ve been doing that for years now and there’s work for everyone. But fortunately,I see that I have not been typecast as a funnyman. I continue to receive offers for roles that explore other genres and emotions too. My next movie to go on floors is a zany,Pulp Fiction-esque untitled project by Akshay Shere who has assisted Ram Gopal Varma in films like Shiva and Sarkar. Hopefully,Vinay Pathak and I will be back as team in this one.

You started with small-budget comedies for niche audiences,like Bheja Fry,and have since done overt commercial films too,like Singh is Kinng. Are you aiming at a single-hero flick with you in the lead next?
I have nothing against commercial cinema and would like to do a mix of both commercial and small-budget films for the multiplex audience. Similarly,I’m open to a single-hero film but honestly,I haven’t been offered any yet.

Where does theatre feature in your career plan?
It’s there somewhere all the time. Unfortunately,our shows of The Blue Mug in Mumbai got cancelled due to the swine flu scare but we have planned a big multi-city tour to take the play across the country in February of 2010.

And what will you be doing meanwhile?
Practicing for the play December onwards and be busy trying to be busy by reading scripts and meeting filmmakers.