Do you take pride in your work?
The maximum.

Then why don’t you work with thinking filmmakers like, say, a Vishal Bharadwaj or a Rajkumar Hirani?
They don’t approach me, that’s why. They all know me, they talk to me but they don’t offer me work. I’m happy in my own zone. I’m working with Subhash Ghai, Anil Sharma and David Dhawan.

Will you ever approach any director for work?
No. Why should I?

Maybe to see what a different director can draw out of you?
I know what I can do with myself. I feel that another person will only take from my personality. It’s not that I think no end of myself but there is no end to me.

Name some of your films that you are satisfied with.
Maine Pyar Kiya, Andaz Apna Apna, Karan Arjun, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Films like Love, Veergati and Suryavanshi were also good but they were made too early and I was too young.

Didn’t Ashutosh Gowariker approach you for Jodhaa Akbar?
Yeah, he came to me and spoke to me a long time ago.

Are you a difficult actor to work with?
No. I’m not a difficult actor because I don’t act, I react. If people understand me, then I’m the easiest guy to be around.

Then how do you explain all those horror stories of getting a haircut in the middle of the shoot?
Yeah, I do that. If I feel like having a haircut, then I will get one. What’s the big deal?

... contd.