These days, almost every other television actor nurtures the dream of making it big in Bollywood. But there are just a few like Kay Kay Menon who have made the transition and succeeded. The talented actor talks about his upcoming film Sirf.

Q: What is your character in Sirf?
A: I play a business tycoon who is so engrossed in his work that he does not even spare time for his family or his wife. He believes that whatever he is doing is for them. Manisha (Koirala) is playing my wife in the film.

Q: Can you relate to this character?
A: The story is such that most people would be able to identify with it. The grass is always greener on the other side. Most of us find other people's lives better than ours. The characters in the story portray this dilemma.

Q: How is your on screen chemistry with Manisha?
A: I'm working with Manisha for the first time and so far it has been a good experience. You will find out about the chemistry when you watch the film.

Q: Why did you move from art cinema to commercial cinema?
A: What is art cinema? There is nothing called art, commerce or science cinema. I know only cinema. If today people are appreciating Sivaji, they are appreciating it. There would be no point asking them why they are liking it?

Apart from Haazaron Khwahishey Aisi, all my films were so-called commercial films. According to you Bhopal Express or Black Friday might be art movies, but I differ. I would not be able to distinguish between films. Someone first has to explain to me the meaning of an art film.

Q: Do you miss theatre since you stepped into films?
A: No at all. I used to act there and I'm acting here also. What I miss are the rehearsals. When you are doing films you do not get time for rehearsals. I would have loved to do theatre but each show needs at least two months of preparation.

As of now, I do not have so much time. Some people do manage to perform after just a week's preparation, but I'm not one of them, I need time.

Q: How has your professional journey been till now ?
A: It as been full of sufferings, but I'm really happy that my efforts have paid off and people have appreciated me. I have achieved what I had wanted.

Q: How was the experience of Honeymoon Travels, especially the dance sequence?
A: I prefer being humorous than being funny in films. In Honeymoon, I got the opportunity to play a humorous character. The dance was demanded by the script and many people liked it. Now if you too think that Kay Kay Menon is a good dancer, then I would be rather surprised.

Q: Who are your good friends in the industry?
A: No one. My life is my best friend. I am neither friend nor foe to anyone. I'm happy by myself.

Q: You are a South Indian, have you ever thought of doing South Indian films?
A: I am from the South. I know Tamil and Telegu, but not so well that I can do films in these languages. Instead of spending time on mastering the language, I could easily act in a couple of Hindi or English films.

Q: Do you want to work in a Hollywood movie?
A: Not at all. I'm not interested in Hollywood films. There Indian actors are not given proper exposure. They either get to play an Indian character or a Pakistani one. Moreover, I find non-Asian films and non-Asian characters pretty boring.

Q: Are you really playing a ghost in Sarkar 2?
A: Well, even I have heard so.

Q: Two of your films Highway No. 203 and Paanch are stuck? Any particular reason?
A: Yes, both the films are ready but I do not know what is taking them so long to get released. I'm also not enquiring about them frequently since I do not take too much tension after I have finished shooting. I'm more passionate about my acting.

Q: Have you been influenced by someone in this industry?
A: I don't think there is anyone in this industry who can influence me. Nor am I related to any bigshot. But I can bet that if I ever get influenced, my idol will not be related to films.

Q: Your favourites among directors?
A: Markand Deshpande and Anurag Kashyup.

Q: Which other films are you doing besides Sirf?
A: I'm also doing Goldy Behl's Drona. I have a grey shade in this film. Then I have Samar Khan's Shourya, Arindam Nandy's Via Darjeeling, Anjan Dutta's BBD (Binoy Badal Dinesh), which is a political thriller. Plus, I'm also there in Marakand Deshpande's fiction film Dream Man. -Rajnee Gupta