Dil Kabbadi is one of the many films to be hitting the screens this Christmas season. We caught up with its lead actor Irrfan Khan to know more about the film and matters of the heart.

Irrfan, to start with, tell us as to how was it like working on a film that has such a twisted love and relationship angle?
It was actually fantastic. Besides that, it was one of those rare times when I have actually said yes even before I read the full script. I had the feeling to go ahead and just do it.

What were the factors that drew you to the film?
First of all, it was the representation of these relationships in a metro, the pressure that goes into maintaining them with all the lure, options and attractions that exists in the world. It is this feeling of wanting to stick to what you have and yet the want on the other hand is to go ahead and actually avail of these attractions, in a way.

Then, there always is the sensuality of the various roles that are played with the characters in the film just adding to this. The film is a melange where the dil just ends up playing kabbadi.

What was it like playing the role of a two timing type of guy who gets carried away?
I can't say that the character I play is a two timer. In fact, he is this guy who is facing some physical problems as he is unable to get that satisfaction that his mind desires from his marriage.

It is this reason that actually pushes him to act and seek fulfillment elsewhere. But at the same time, it is his nature to try and come to terms with it and his wife, and his constant effort to make her understand his side of the story.

How was the experience working with Rahul Bose (who is known for his rigid schedule) and the rest of the star cast?
Rahul is an amazing individual. He is extremely disciplined like any military man would be! He is also a very laborious soul who would work too hard to do something. I always considered myself like a convent school principal when it came to discipline, but, I should tell you that Rahul is something totally different.

As far as the other cast is concerned, Konkana and I share a great chemistry. Since we have worked together before, it was an easy task. In fact, I was supposed to play the role with Konkana but Rahul insisted that he play it.

So, we amicably took a decision that he would play the role alongside Konkana and me with Soha. The fact is that I didn't mind this because that I really wanted to have Rahul in the film at any cost. I felt that having him in the film would be so much fun and also will offer a variety to the star cast for the audience.

Soha, on the other hand, is simply a brilliant actor, who has been critically acclaimed for almost all of her previous films. It was really a pleasure to work with her. One thing I can guarantee that after this film Soha is not only going to be the talk of the town but will also be praised for her performance!

What about the audience, do you think that they would want to watch this film and why?
Well, for starters, I don't think that there has ever been a film that deals so closely with relationships.

Besides this, the interest that is generated to know what the characters do in the given circumstances and how they cope with the multiple happenings.

Keeping in mind the target audience of this film are the ones who go to the theatres, the film will serve as an outing to break away from the routine grind of daily life as this film offers a fresh outlook that everyone will find a resemblance to.

Now that you have told us why we should watch the film, could you summarize the entire script and story for us?
Well, it's basically about the lives of two couples and how they land themselves in various situations. Besides this, it is also a film of inter connected relationships.

It exhibits as to how each character is some where connected to the other. Like how Soha is related or connected to Konkana, Rahul who plays a teacher is related to his students whose other relation is in turn connected to Konkana.

It is an experience of having friends, who in some way know each other without actually knowing them.

Thinking in retrospect, is there anything that stands out in your memory while shooting the film?
The thing that stands out in my memory is actually the entire shoot of the film, because it wasn't like we were working on a project.

It was more like a group of old friends having gathered together and then decided to make a film. None of the star cast restricted themselves to the roles they played. Instead, once we set the motion of the film, it just rolled on with no stop in sight. Even the crew was very highly supportive.

There's one scene that, when we shot it the first time, we unanimously decided that it wasn't upto that standard.
So, we decided to stop and redo the scene the following night, to which, the cameraman and the rest of the crew had no objection. However the best part is that none of the cameras were actually mounted on a stand of sorts, rather they were following us the entire way!

What about releasing this film across the border, keeping in mind the recent development of tension between India and Pakistan?
To me, it holds no relevance. I really don't mind if the film is released in Pakistan or not. If it does get released, it would be so much the better, knowing fully well the market available there for Bollywood films.

But for me, it is more important that this rise in tension between India and its neighbor should be diffused at any cost. I haven't got much of an idea about Pakistani cinema, with Khuda Ke Liye being the only Pakistani film that I have seen.

Well...now that we know the flow of the story, what would you like the audience to watch out for in Dil Kabaddi?
The audience, as I have said, has progressed quite a bit. So, I guess they can see for themselves, but still the details of the relationships and the treatment that they have got and the light of their portrayal in the film must not be missed.

Well, which are the future films we are likely to see you in?
After this, the films that I have in hand are Billo Barber with SRK and Deepika, New York (directed by Kabir Khan) and Sanjay Gupta's Acid Factory.