After a couple of frothy entertainers, actor Saqib Saleem surprised all with his role of a young homosexual in 'Bombay Talkies'

The actor who will be seen in an Amole Gupte film, where he plays a skating coach chats up with CS:

Cool co-star
Partho (Partho Gupte) is a cool kid to work with. I feel he's a fine young talent. I had seen Stanley Ka Dabba and liked his performance. However, I had the feeling that he would do well in films that are children-centric. He has surprised all of us with his range of histrioncs.

Role call
As an actor, I like roles that challenge me. A lot of people had advised me against doing Bombay Talkies but I went ahead as it allowed me to do something that was a departure from what I had done before in Mere Dad Ki Maruti or Mujhse Fraanadship Karoge. When I got a positive response from the critics, it felt great. I believe in my instincts. The 'career planning' thing is not something I have a lot of faith in.


Looking ahead
My goal is to have atleast 20 films in my career that I can be proud of. I don't want to regret later thinking 'God, what was I doing in that particular film'. All of us watch foreign films and wish for the kind of roles some of those actors do. However, when we get something challenging, we turn it away thinking about other factors. As an actor, you should do justice to your craft and take up work that excites you.

Competition matters
Of course, I do keep tabs on what other actors of my generation are doing (laughs). It's important to stay abreast, you know (laughs our loud). Talking about competition, I feel that all of us have enough work to feel secure. Moreover, there are some roles that a particular actor can do really well, so he'll be sought after for it. Everyone has his own individuality out here.


Bro code
I thought Huma's work in Dedh Ishqiya was her best till date. We live together and do discuss work, especially scripts. But we don't influence each other. Both of us are too instinctive by nature. Before Huma and I entered Bollywood, we promised ourselves that we wouldn't let the industry change us as people. We are the way we were and still have the same set of friends.

Mom's the word
Our mother is a huge film buff and an armchair critic. Thank God, she's liked all my performances. I was happy when she liked Bombay Talkies. But I hadn't told her about the role before the film's release, as I was a little apprehensive. Both Huma and I dread the day when she will not like our part in a film (laughs).