Q: The awards season has started for you...
A: And it feels wonderful! Recognition always rocks. At the same time, I refuse to believe that my performance in Yuva was better than others actors, least of all dad.

Q: You certainly deserve recognition for Yuva.
A: Awards do matter. But it doesn't mean Akshay Kumar in Mujhse Shaadi Karogi or Zayed Khan in Main Hoon Na weren't equally good.

Q: What prompted you to take your father on stage to receive your Filmfare award?
A: When I saw dad's name in the nominations, I knew he deserved it. Besides being his son, I'm also his biggest fan. I think the award was rightfully his. I took him on stage because I thought that was the right thing to do. More than being happy to win the award, I was happy that my mom and dad were there with me to share that moment.

Q: How do you feel when Ram Gopal Varma says you're a better actor than your father?
A: I know Ramu is a huge fan of dad's and he's just trying to give me courage to face the camera with him. Initially, it was terrifying to share screen space with Amitabh Bachchan. I'm still nervous.

But now I'm enjoying the experience far more than when we first started. Earlier, we'd reach for the shooting of Bunty Aur Babli or Sarkar together. That was fun. What followed in front of the camera was not!

Q: You felt inadequate?
A: Of course! But now, I look forward to learning from him. His sheer knowledge of the craft is awesome. Just the fact that I have the liberty to walk up to him and ask for his help in doing a shot is very liberating. I like the fact that I've both, Amitabh Bachchan and my father, in the same frame as me.

Q: Is it a learning process for you?
A: Just watching him at work is revealing. By watching him I've realised what a bad actor I am. When you see him do a shot, you immediately know there's no way you can be as good as him.

Q: So you're enjoying sparring histrionics with the mighty Bachchan?
A: I don't think I can spar with Pa. I just get the opportunity to stand in the same ring as him and he allows you to have some fun.

Q: But he's a very generous co-star.
A: Immensely. By far the most generous co-star I've worked with. For me, co-starring with him is the most exciting happening of my career so far.

Q: Next release?
A: Bunty Aur Babli with dad and Rani. You just have to wait and see what we've done in it. Then I've Anubhav Sinha's Dus, Rituparno Ghosh's Antar Mahal in Bengali and Ramu's Sarkar. Later in the year, I start Sanjay Gadhvi's Dhoom 2 and Karan Johar's film.

Q: Antar Mahal is your second Bengali film.
A: Yes, my first was Des where I played my own mom's son. But I didn't have to speak any Bengali in either. Antar Mahal was a great experience, just 15 days worth of work. Creatively, very satisfying.

Actually, I've quite a spectrum of directors coming up this year. I'd like to believe I'm growing and improving with every film I do.