Actor Sharman Joshi who has given memorable performances in films like 'Rang De Basanti', 'Life in a Metro, '3 Idiots', may not have reached the top rung in Bollywood but says he has tasted success in phases

"I never had a lull phase in my career, it was just that I wasn't doing any work. My films were working but I had decided to sit at home. I was getting a lot of offers but I consciously decided not to take them up because they weren't the kind of films I wanted to do," Sharman said in an interview here. "Post 3 Idiots, I didn't work for two years. Doing less work was frustrating but I have survived.

I think the wait has paid off," he said. His last film 'Ferrari Ki Saawari' which came a year back got a mixed response at the box office but his performance was appreciated. "My commercial and box office standing has improved post the release of 'Ferrari Ki Sawaari'. I have started getting some exciting offers. I did have offers earlier as well but they were not desirable. I would do films that I would enjoy working in," he said.

"The film earned Rs 30 crores net at the box office. Being a solo hero film I consider it as a big achievement for myself. I was trying to break into that space. Before Ferrari Ki Sawaari, I did some solo films like 'Sorry Bhai', 'Toh Baat Paaki', which bombed at the box office. I made a decision that I would rather wait and get the right film," he said.

But the transition from being a supporting actor to being the main protagonist took time and Sharman has no qualms. "It was a long wait but that is the way it was destined for me. People think in spite of working with big directors I did not get my due. I have seen success in phases. My first big release 'Style' became a sleeper hit.


Then films like Golmaal series, Rang De Basanti, Life In A Metro got me lot of appreciation. There was also a phase when some of my films didn't work. I wasn't getting right scripts," Sharman said. Now he has four films lined up. 'War Chod Na Yaar', 'Super Naani' and 'Gang Of Ghosts' will release early next year and Vikram Bhatt's '1920: London' will come out by mid next year.

"I am going to shift gears and increase the pace of my work," he added. 'War Chod Na Yaar' is the first war comedy, showing the funny side of jawaans of India and Pakistan. "It revolves around the India-Pakistan relationship at our borders and it is like a conversation between two friends. Lot of jawaans are posted at a particular border for years in extreme conditions. During this time Indian army does talk to the army men across the border. The film shows casual banter during peace time," Sharman said.