Excerpts from an Interview:

How do you feel to face the camera once again?

I was tired of working continually and so I decided to take a long break from Bollywood. I had signed a few new projects but have not shoot for any film. ‘Yeh Mera Dil’ for Farhan Akhtar’s movie was my last encounter with camera and I face it once again now for this glamorous dance sequence for which we’ve worked very hard.

Has the break been rejuvenating enough?

There have been many changes in my life in the meantime. I’ve turned vegetarian and has been religiously practicing Yoga. Also I had been traveling with Sahid Kapur. I’m looking more slimmer and feeling re-charged with energy.

Tell us about this song for the film Kya Love Story Hai.

It’s good friend Lovely Singh’s movie and I’ve shot an item number at the Filmistan Studios in Mumbai. I’ve been given a very glamourous makeover in the song, wearing a sexy dress, with golden curly hair, riding in limousine and playing a 25-feet guitar in the number. The track has been choreographed by Bosco, composed by Pritam and sung by Alisha Chenoi. It’s a lot of hard work but a lot of fun too. It requires a lot of energy. I know Lovely Singh for a long time and I’ve done this song for his sake. The song will be placed immediately after the credits in the beginning and is one of the highlights of the film. It’s a fun oriented song. I’m not open to any more item numbers. Next I’ll start shooting for Imtiaz Ali’s film with Shahid Kapur.

Are you doing Zoya Akhtar’s Kismet Talkies? There has been lots of uncertainty at that front.

I’m doing Kismet Talkies for sure.

When is Lajjo happening?

It should start by the end of this year. It is every actress’ dream to work with Aamir Khan.

What are the other films you’re working in?

I am starting Imtiaz Ali’s next with Shahid and there’s a Yashraj film with Akshay Kumar and Saif.

How was it sharing screen space with Shahid and sister Karisma in Koffee with Karan?

Both Shahid and me were shocked when we scored ten on ten in compatibility test. We know each other very well and so we are comfortable with each other. Being together with two important people in my life was great. We are family after all.

When do you plan to get married?

Marriage? I don't know. When marriage has to happen, it happens. There are various reasons and ways one would get married. It could be for love, it could be arranged, or then it could be for children. I know the reason why I would get married, or why I wouldn't get married. You choose one appropriate reason and get married.

What do you have to say about your casual yet committed style of acting?

I never rehearse. I believe in giving the final shot in the first or second take, and that makes my director happy. Though I do different genres of films my style never changes. I've been the same since I was born. Acting is no rocket science, you don't need to be an Einstein to act. It has to come from the heart. When you feel from the heart and perform, it looks natural.

Is there any set criteria for the people you want to work with?

I work with anyone who comes with a good script, and has grey matter. The most important thing is that I should like the person, only then I sign a film with him. I need to spend 15 to 20 days with that person, 15 to 20 days even before I commit to him. And once I feel I can work with him and he can work with me), then I say 'yes' to the project. After all, I am also not a great human being.

People who know you swear by your loyalty. What do you have to say about it?

It takes a lot of time — 10, 12, 15, 20, 40 years — to build a relationship. I have not made any new friend in a long time now, I only have acquaintances. And I don't need anyone either as I have my brothers, Sohail and Arbaaz, my sisters, Alvira and Arpita, my parents, Helen aunty, David Dhawan, Sajid Nadiadwala. We are okay.

What do you have to say about the competition that prevails in the industry?

I don't mind rivalry as long it's healthy and does not get malicious. With competition, I will get more serious. If at present I'm giving 2 per cent, I will give 3 per cent with competition at hand.

Why don’t we see you often in endorsements?

I don't get offers. The corporate don't want to touch me, may be because there are cases against me. I guess they are right in doing so. But I endorse what I like to endorse, I don't do it just for money. I wear Dollar vest, I wear Red Tape . I believe that if I wear these things only then my fans will wear them too. 

What are you forthcoming releases?

David Dhawan's Partner, Rumi Jaffrey's God Tussi Great Ho, Hollywood flick, Marigold. I can sign more films if I want, but I'm taking it easy now.  I have become a less erratic than what I was earlier.

What is your take on life?

I don't know. I feel that life is beautiful. Some live longer whereas some have short life. But one should live life king-size.

There are reports that Aamir Khan was not very keen to cast Ayesha in the film and had wanted Asin to be a part of the film from the very beginning. About her exit from the project, Ayesha tells that there were some irreversible differences and due to which she is not doing the film.

Excerpts from an Interview:

What does the title of your latest film Namastey London really mean?

Namastey London is based on my friend’s life. He lives in Ludhiana. The film is about this guy who is very proud of his culture and who goes to London and proves a point. In that sense, Namastey London is not just a film, rather it’s an attitude. Whenever I go abroad and meet up with my fans I’m overwhelmed with their love and affection for India. They think of themselves as GenNext but they aren’t comfortable in their own skin. They don’t really know where they belong. With this film, I want to tell them that it’s cool to be an Indian. Namastey London says that today when foreigners are trying to find themselves in India either through yoga, meditation or Bollywood, we should also be proud of our roots.

How Punjabi are you in real life?

I’m a pure Punjabi boy. My roots are in Punjab. My dad was from Punjab. I’m proud of my background. I cannot give up my habit of speaking in Punjabi. Whenever I’m excited or want to explain something to someone I instinctively start speaking in Punjabi.

What’s with the golden hair colour in the film?

Don’t you remember that even Dharmendra had the same hair colour in the song ‘Main Jat yamla’? You know how the guys in Punjab are? They want some Punjabi touch, some extra colour. That’s their way of trying to look hot. If you’ve seen the promos, my character is listening to an Ipod while he’s on a bike wearing a pink kurta with jeans. That’s a total Punjabi package.

Yeah, but wasn’t it messy to milk the cow in that scene?

What’s messy about it? People do it in Punjab all the time. Even I used to do it when I would visit Punjab as a kid. And yes, I enjoyed it.

Since the subject and the location are so close to your heart, did you provide any inputs to director Vipul Shah?

Yeah, Vipul gave me a lot of freedom. He let me interpret the character my way. The humour and the little nuances are what I could contribute and I also had all the freedom to give suggestions.

What’s the best thing of working with Vipul Shah?

I really admire the guy. I started with him in Aankhen and then did Waqt and now Namastey London. In all the three films, he has given me different characters to play. He presents a new challenge to me every time. I like the way he moulds me so that he can get different stuff out of me. I like the fact that he doesn’t stick to his comfort zones but takes risks instead.

You’ve already worked with Katrina Kaif in Humko Deewana Kar Gaye. Any changes that you’ve seen in her during this film?

She was a delight to work with. I admire the way Katrina has made her identity in Bollywood considering that she came from abroad. It can be difficult to break in but she managed. I think she’s done well for herself.

How was the experience of shooting in London?

Oh, I love shooting in London. The people are very friendly. Since there are so many Indians there, it almost feels like home. I also like the cultural diversity of the place.

Your latest commercial for Thums Up sees you doing action after a long time. How was it?

I was really keen to do an action ad. I told the creative team to think on these lines. I’ve used the Japanese karate, Yamazaki, in the ad. I trained for 15 days to get it right. And I fell in love with it so much that I’ve continued with the training. It’s not an easy job since you need to be really quick and agile, but I’m really enjoying it.