Boman plays the coach of Vivek Agnihotri's football team in Goal. Unlike other actors who prepare for roles by getting into shape, Boman is going the other way.

"I'm letting go as far as my physical fitness is concerned. The coach is a burnt-out, spent force and has let go of himself. And that's the shape of things. I play a washed-out guy with a sordid past running away from the truth. I think I need to look like someone who may have been an athlete 20 years ago.

So, my look has to be out of shape. It's interesting to raise the bar for myself. I like to revel in the tension of getting into character. If these guys think I'm right for the role of the football coach, then I better prove it."

Goal is being shot at real football stadiums in London. "We're shooting at the Manchester stadium, which is the mecca of football. I'm really excited. This is an exciting year for me. There's a fun film called Heyy Babyy coming up where I play the baby's grand-dad who's a little bit of a meanie. It's a sweet film.

Director Sajid Khan and I have regular movie-quiz sessions on the sets. Reluctantly, he concedes defeat to me. And I'm very proud. Had I not been a Hindi movie buff since I was a kid, I don't think I'd fit into this world, given the world that I come from."