Dr. Asthana is back as Sardar Lucky Singh. In an animated conversation with TWF correspondent Vickey Lalwani, Boman Irani talks about 'Lage Raho Munnabhai', a gangster meets Gandhi sequel to the immensely popular Munnabhai MBBS.

Q: How do you rate the sequel's chances?
A: I think that the film will click. We were always conscious of the fact that we have an added responsibility- to deliver a good film which is as good as Munnabhai MBBS. It would be great of course if the audience enjoys it more.

Q: What do you play in the sequel?
A: I play Sardar Lucky Singh. He seeks Munna and Circuit's help to sort out an issue regarding his daughters-in-law. Somewhere along the way they differ widely.

Q: You did a lot of homework on this role?
A: That's correct. I don't want to sound pompous but I really spent some time with Sardars to give an authentic feel to the character.

Q: But why?
A: That was because I didn't want the character to look like a caricature. When one plays a character from a certain community, one subconsciously tends to act keeping certain aspects in mind. I didn't want the character to look stereotyped (pauses).

Q: Please continue.
A: Lucky Singh is a sharp, intelligent and jolly fellow who can outsmart anyone. But let me make one thing clear. There is no lampooning of the Sardar community. Enough of the Santa-Banta jokes. How often can you show a Parsi stuffed in a car with 16 kids? Let's get on with it. Let's get real. The character has shades of grey, but whose point of view is as valid as Munna's.

Q: What is the film actually all about?
A: Sorry, I am not giving away the story. In a nutshell, Munna and Circuit are divine fools - they are actually supposed to be goons, but end up doing good deeds. 'Lage Raho Munnabhai' is not a grim film, but one which will still make you ask questions.

Q: Which other films do you have coming up?
A: I have Dibankar Banerjee's 'Khosla Ka Ghosla', in which I play a cunning and manipulative builder. The builder sells houses and then uses fraudulent means to get the residents to leave. He is only concerned with making money and does not care for others' emotions.

Also, I play Iftekhar's role in Farhan Akhtar's 'Don - The Chase Begins Again'. Also, there is 'Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd', which deals with relationships. It is directed by Reema Kagti who has done a tremendous job as a first-time director. Finally, there is Vinod Chopra's 'Eklavya', in which I play Rana.

Q: Why did you do intsy-bitsy roles in films like 'Pyaare Mohan', 'Mr Prime Minister', 'Being Cyrus' and 'Yun Hota To Kya Hota'?
A: Sometimes you do roles because you like them when you hear them, because you see scope to do something differently, but it happens. I deeply respect Dev Anandsaab. I couldn't say no to him. I did 'Yun Hota To Kya Hota' because I immensely respect Naseersaab as an actor and a person. In 'Being Cyrus', I got a chance to explore a character I had not played before.

Q: With so many films and such a busy schedule, do you get any time for your other passions - photography and theatre?
A: I do take time out for photography, but it's on a personal level now, only for myself. I am adapting myself to the digital format. As for theatre, that required a lot of time which I do not get.

Q: Raj Kumar Hirani has said that he would like to keep the Munnabhai series going. Will you do a third film if it's made?
A: Of course. It would be impossible to resist.