Films like 'Kya Kool Hai Hum' and 'Golmaal Returns' have turned the tide in the actor's favor, and as Tushar now awaits the release of yet another comedy flick, 'One Two Three', we talk to the actor on his role in the movie and much more..
Q.: Please tell us about your character in "One Two Three".
A: I play the role of 'Bhai Son' in the film, am popular because of my father who used to be a Don of his time. My mother also wishes that I become a great murderer and don like him.
I then get a job to kill someone. My character's name is Lakshminarayan.
The character has a blend of romantic and funny moments to it, and I have an affair going with Meena Khujli, the daughter of the don of Khujli gang. But then, the story takes a turn when I meet Esha Deol.
Q.: Your character is quite different in this film. Have you followed any different preparation for the character?
A.: Yeah I have. It's only because I am playing a double faced character who tries to appear tough, but from within he is a very soft person.
I went through the story again and again with Ashwini to know mostly about my character. In some parts it demands the don and somewhere the demand is for the soft person. Ashwini told me about the points where he wanted the change in my personality.
I tried to understand him and adjusted to the change. But I never went through any workshop and never worked on my looks. And I didn't have to work on my looks much as I am not playing a matured don. You can call me the budding don.
Q.: You played the serious don in your last film "Shootout at Lokhandwala". After that you got the character of a comic shooter. How was your experience?
A: Both the films are of a different genre. The character in "Shootout at Lokhandwala" required devastation in his eyes. But my character in this film demands me to be little soft and innocent from inside, whereas I have to show that I am a tough guy.
Q.: Was there any confusion at the set as because three characters in the film are named the same?
A.: Not at all. Ashwini created all the characters in such a way that there was no chance of getting confused. Credit should be given to the manner in which our plots were narrated to us, especially the climax where all the characters were required.
Q.: This is your fourth film with Esha. How was the experience?
A.: We got together at the set after four years, but none of us felt that we stayed away from each other for that long time.
On the first day of shoot, we talked about several things. We are good friends and behave very childish too. Experience of working with others was also okay as I think we all are professionals and matured people.
Q.: What was the reason behind signing this film?
A: Every comedy I have acted in, as for example "Golmaal", "Kya Kool Hai Hum", has either some kind of adventure or misadventure along with two or more girls getting involved with me.
But in this film, all the three leads are not only from different cities but from different background also. None of them knows about the other character.
They know each other only when the fact opens that they all are known as Lakshminarayan.
Q.: This film has a huge star-cast. Was there any problem due to any star during the shooting?
A.: As far as I can remember, no actor has ever created any problem. There was a news regarding Upen in the newspaper but I cannot tell you anything about that as I was not present there.
And if you ask me about actresses, I can say that there has to be some problem when there is more than one girl at a place.
Q.: Have you ever felt insecure during the shooting because of the huge star-cast?
A.: Since the story was clear to us, the importance of our character sketch was also very clear. At the same time, we get a thin line from the director about how he is going to treat our characters.
So, I think if one has the confidence in the director, then there is nothing to be worried about. And at the end, you have to take some risk, isn't it?
Q.: You are famous as a prankster. Whom did you prank on this time?
A.: Who told you that I love to prank on people? As far as "One Two Three" is concerned, I stayed conscious all the time thinking someone must be trying to prank.
Q.: You are playing the character of a hair stylist in Rohit Shetty's "Golmaal Returns". Please tell us about that.
A.: Yeah, that's true. I am playing a hair stylist in "Golmaal Returns". And for that reason I am trying with a different hair style. This character has a very uncanny habit of seeing a person's hair when talking to him.
I have been observing the hair stylist Aalim, he exactly does the same thing. He changes his hair style every two days. I am still dumb in the film, but the story of the film is quite different from "Golmal".
Q.: Who do you feel your comic chemistry works better with?
A.: Truly speaking, I like to work with all the actors. But I feel that my comic chemistry works better with Sharman. Though my and Reitesh's comic pair was much appreciated, I have learnt a lot from Sharman Joshi. Even now, our comedy in "Golmal" is highly appreciated.
Q.: You must be missing Sharman in "Golmal Returns"?
A: See, Sharman is a good friend of mine. Besides, we used to have lot of fun in the set. So, it's quite natural to miss him. But that doesn't mean I am not enjoying my time with Shreyas. I am not missing anyone professionally, but truly speaking I am missing him personally.
Q.: How changed do you feel after playing so many characters?
A.: I can say that now I am not afraid of the camera. Now I am not tensed about anything, and I tend to enjoy acting.
At the same time I have turned really friendly with my directors. At the beginning of my career, I used to feel the difference between senior and junior actors. But now I believe I am also a part of Bollywood.
Q.: Please tell us about your forthcoming films.
A.: This film, we are talking about, will be released in March. In June you will see "C Kkompany" produced by our house.
"Golmaal Returns" will be in theaters by August this year and I hope another film "Run Bhola Run" will be released by the end of the year. - Rajnee Gupta