He’s unapologetic about being repetitive in his selection of roles: all of them have been romantic, chocolate-boy roles. “Romance is my forte, so why not?” says the youngster who is currently shooting Romeo Idiot Jattani Juliet. We pin the actor down to chat about being the first choice for the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire, his bad-boy days, nagging girlfriends, casual love, sex gyaan, spending time with Mallika Sherawat and Rakhi Sawant and more (you read it right). Enjoy!
“I have been dumped in relationships many times!”
You were the original choice for Slumdog Millionaire. Regret rejecting the role?If I’d have been the hero in Slumdog Millionaire, maybe we’d be sitting in a five star hotel in the US. But I’m happy with the kind of life I’m living. My personal life is fine because I stay with my family. If I’d been that successful after doing the film, my professional life would have been fantastic but my personal life may not have been the same. I can never make a career choice that affects my private space.
You think if you accepted the offer, you’d be on a different career route?Ah! Not me, but if the film had chosen me, then things would have been different. I couldn’t do the film because I was conventionally good-looking. Initially, Danny Boyle wanted me because of the way I look. Later when the producers got involved, they felt they didn’t need a good-looking guy to play that part. They recast, and Dev Patel came on board.
Do you think choosing back-to-back romantic films wasn’t wise because none seemed to work for you?There were times when I thought I should try something different. There are so many off beat, dark and intense films being made but romance is my forte. I’m convincing in romantic roles. I look like a college boy. And I have a long way to go! I’m sure I’ll have opportunities to break this image too if I have to. Right now, I’m happy with the kind of work I’m doing. I’ll stick to romantic films because even directors offer me only these roles believing that I will be good at it. I believe breaking your image for the sake of it is stupidity.
Do you think star-kids, who have a grand launch, get things on a platter?My mum chose her personal life over her career. She fell in love with someone who wasn’t from the industry. The film industry was not home to her. She is disconnected. Other star-kids are involved and a part of the industry. Some even marry actors or people from the industry. So they have a support system, are born with a silver spoon but they have to live up to everyone’s expectations which is hard. An actor from a non-film background can make mistakes but they can’t. Still, if I was born in a typical film family I would only thank God and consider myself lucky.
The story your last film I Don’t Love You is about an MMS scandal. Apparently, when you were dating Zahra Khan, even your MMS clip was leaked. Was it inspired by that?When the director called me for the film, I thought it was insulting that a director wants to cash in on my personal life. But when I heard the script, I realised my role was really good. In fact, they didn’t even know about my MMS scandal. It was only later that they got to know. Only if you Google me, you’d know there was this scandal.
The film is essentially about causal love and non-committal relationships. Have you experienced that?I identify with my character. When I was in college, I believed in love and relationships. But now I’m mature and I’ve realised that love is complex. Sometimes, we mistake lust and attraction for love. Once you’re in a relationship, you get used to being with that person and it becomes a habit. We assume that it’s love. I don’t understand what love is.
What’s your take on guys who leak MMS clips of their girlfriends?I don’t understand the psyche of guys who leak MMS scandals of their partners, molest and rape. There’s something wrong with such people and their upbringing. I’d like to ask them how would they find it if something similar happening to their sister or mother.
Have you ever dated only for fun?I’ve had many such relationships. But I was open with them and told them it wasn’t out of love. I believe in being honest. And when someone tells me she loves me but her actions don’t prove it, then I feel it’s stupid. In fact, I will respect that girl who’d be frank in saying, ‘I’m attracted to you and let’s hook up but I don’t love you.’ I will really respect her for her honesty.
And when she starts nagging, how do you deal with that?As soon as a girl starts nagging, I tell her to stop behaving like my mother! I threaten to address her as mamma. I actually do that in front of my friends! In fact, you’d guess a girl is a nag even before you date her. I’d run away before hand. Dating toh bahut door ki baat hai (Dating is too distant an idea!). I’ll tell her she was nice but now she’s boring me.
Is it better to stay single?Yes, absolutely!
Have you ever left a woman because she nagged?If I know a girl is even capable of nagging, I keep safe distance from her. If the girl calls you, you miss her call and then, when you speak to her, her first question is, “Where are you? Why didn’t you answer my phone?” you must know she’s a nag. That’s when I know it won’t work with me. Sometimes, I’ve given stupid answers like, “I’m with another girl; I’ll call you later!” Intelligent girls don’t ask stupid questions. I’ve usually come across understanding and intelligent women. If I don’t answer their calls, they understand. I don’t ask a thousand insecure questions to a girl. That’s not me.
How would you convince such a girl if you wanted to give your relationship another chance?If I like the person too much I’ll tell her that she needs to stop behaving like my mother. I would anyway do what I want to, so she must stop increasing her blood pressure.
Have you been dumped for being a bad boyfriend?Yes! Guys have problems with being loyal. When I was in college, I was all over the place (Laughs). If I would see a pretty girl, I’d want to go out with her. I’ve dated the prettiest girls of my college. But then, there were other colleges that had pretty faces too. So I would trespass and go there also. But I used to get caught. So yes, I have been dumped in relationships!
Women are often attracted to bad boys. Agree?I’ve always been a bad boyfriend but my girlfriends stuck around. I used to asked them why they wanted to be with me. I realised girls don’t like taking it easy. They like to target the lion and tame him. They want to turn him into a vegetarian, keep him at home to show the world that they’ve domesticated a beast. Jo mazaa, yeh mera pet lion hai bolne main aata hai, woh mazaa yeh mera pet kutta hai bolne main nahi aata. They don’t like guys who are nice and faithful puppies!
Have you been the bad boy in your teens?I’ve grown up! Thanks to my looks, I was popular in college and I took full advantage of that. But now, I’m bored of it. I feel there are other aspects of my personality that need to be appreciated. So I’ve started focusing on my career and want to prove myself as an actor.
If you had to ask a girl out, how would you pop the question?I’ve an honest approach. I’d tell her she’s pretty and a nice person and I just love being with her. If I find a girl beautiful and if I fancy her, I would directly convey what I feel.
And how important is sex in a relationship?It is very important for the well-being of a relationship.
What’s the best guide to sex — counselors, sex experts, porn films, magazines or peers?
Personal experiences! Nothing beats that!
What’s the most bizarre sex gyaan you ever been given?Honestly, I’ve never taken any advice from anyone on sex, I’ve actually given it.
When was the last time you watched porn?Last month. It’s been a while.
Tell us one Bollywood actress you’d are completely smitten by? And one actress you wish you could date?Deepika Padukone; she’s gorgeous. I would like to play badminton with her.
And one Hollywood star you’d like to see pole dancing on screen?Megan Fox, she’s hot!
What if you’re stuck in a room with Rakhi Sawant or Mallika Sherwat? How would you kill time till the door is unlocked?Mallika is better! But if it’s Rakhi Sawant in the closed room, I will ask her about her journey and how she managed to become a household name. I would ask her for tips on marketing oneself. I’m sure there is that quality in me that women also feel sisterly towards me! I’m sure Rakhi will see a younger brother in me, and tie a rakhi on my wrist (Laughs)!
Pooja Sharma
