Your career has not only given you an opportunity to be a part of successful films but all some spectacular roles like in Tamanna, Satya, Shool, Kaun, Aks, Pinjar and Swami which will be most remembered for Manoj Bajpai's versatility. Any comments?
This has been a very conscious effort in choosing the films that I wanted to do as an actor. Versatility is just a word but eventually what counts is the effort and the choices one makes.

Money Hai Toh Honey Hai is your first role where you are seen doing full-fledged comedy from frame one and what a 'U turn' for Ganesh too. Was it a difficult choice for both of you?
It wasn't a difficult choice for Ganesh but because of his conviction in me and the film, I agreed to do this film.

Our friendship started with Swami, he always wanted to make Swami as his first film, and after that Ganesh felt very emotional about me being in Money Hai Toh Honey Hai and I just went with the flow. For me as well, it wasn't a difficult decision.

Did you go through any research or study for your role because you haven't done any physical comedy before?
Ganesh did not give me enough time to prepare for this role. This role came to me in November 2007 and the crew were about to leave for Mauritius. I was nursing my shoulder injury and was in no physical condition to accept any role.

I did not work for the entire 2007. Somehow, Ganesh wanted me to be a part of MHTHH, he dragged me out of my bed, and the next thing I knew was I was flying to Mauritius.

We've also heard recently that your best pal Sanjay Gupta is praising you left right and centre for your look in his next film Acid Factory.
This look has happened because we wanted to do something drastically different with my character. It is not something that is a part of our imagination but it has a lot to do with the character also.

My role is very child like, loyal and quite unpredictable. Sanjay Gupta is somebody who is hell bent on giving me such a role. His conviction for me is hundred percent and I'm just going by his conviction and vision.

I've already asked this question to Hansika but it now gets passed on to you. What were your reactions when you saw Hansika, the same small girl with whom you acted in Jaago nearly three years ago?
Wow! Hansika was playing Raveena's daughter in the film Jaago. But the first time I saw her as a kid I knew that she would grow into a heroine. I somehow could see that in her behavior on and off sets.

Even though she was just a 13-year-old girl, she wanted to do very well in her career. This is just the beginning. She is talented, ambitious and wants to grow big fast.

The name Manoj Bajpai is associated with quality cinema. Is that what we will see from Manoj Bajpai in the future as well?
Definitely. I am made in such a way that I don't like many of the offers that come by and it becomes very difficult for me to work for 365 days a year.

You can call me lazy or a choosy person, however it may suit you, but I have never given more than three releases in one year. Last year, it was 1971, Swami and Dus Kahaniyaan. This year you will see me in two films, Money Hai Toh Honey Hai and Acid Factory.

Brief us a bit about your interactions with your co-stars in MHTHH and who do you think will steal both, Honey and Money by the end of the film?
Govinda is a superstar. Both of us got along very well with each other. Both admire each other's work; so the chemistry was evident on the sets and will be evident on the screens too.

I know Aftab since his Mast days and he is a versatile actor. MHTHH will prove it yet again. Celina is a fantastic person and very obedient. Hansika, as I said is a very talented, hard working and an ambitious girl.

But what is going to surprise people is Upen Patel's track 'Awara' in the film. Ganesh's choice of Upen works wonders in the track and then Govinda takes it to another level.

So how far do you think these newcomers can go? You are a senior, veteran, and a vastly experienced actor. Do you give any advice to freshers like Upen and Hansika?
I try to create an atmosphere, which is congenial and comfortable for them.

It's helping them in a way but you can call it a bit selfish too. I want my scene to be fantastic and if the actor is a newcomer who is nervous, that will not help me in any way. Therefore, I have to make things very comfortable for them.

Can you recall any funny moments while filming this movie?
When you're doing a comedy film, each and every moment becomes very funny because all of us were making each other laugh. I remember a moment when Govinda and I couldn't stop laughing and it became very difficult for Ganesh Acharya to start the shoot. The moment he said 'Action', we would fall down laughing.

What's important for you - box office success or critical acclaim?
Most of the actors in our industry don't care about the critics. Critics, I think, are the people most unaware of the making process of any film. They are intoxicated by the power of the pen. They have their own agenda's.

A little bit of box office matters so that you have the freedom to choose and work the way you want to work but at the end of the day what's important is that if the quality of cinema fails, you fail.

One Friday the box office success is there and the other Friday it's gone.

How did you manage to shake a leg Manoj?
It's not difficult at all. I have a sense of rhythm. I used to dance when I was in theatre. I've done a semi classical dancing course. So everything is there. I don't dance unnecessarily. If it is required, I'll do it and make sure that it's not me who is dancing but Bhadoriya.

Any message for your fans who are looking forward to see the talented Manoj Bajpai after a long sabbatical?
I love my fans and just want to appeal to them that they should see quality films and support quality films. If they keep on supporting commercial films, only commercial films will be made. Thus, quality will take a back seat. Love you all.