Isn’t this the first time that you would be doing a remake version of any film?
Of a Hindi film, yes. my first film Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai was a remake of a south film. I feel if it is done aesthetically people will acknowledge it openly. Wasn’t Shah Rukh Khan accepted as Don?

You seem to have mastered in comedy. Which other films you are all excited about?
I have Run Bhola Run where I play a thief who meets Govinda in prison and both are on a run. It is a complete masala film directed by Neeraj Vohra with Amisha Patel and Celina Jaitley playing the female lead. The film is complete and plans are on to release it in August/ September now that the strike is over. Shree Ashtavinayak wants to release Blue first.

Rumi Jaffrey’s Life Partner is about friendship and marriage. I play a Gujarati guy from South Africa who comes to India to find a bride. He is a very conservative when he is with his family and just the opposite with his friends. It is a family-oriented comedy film with the right amount of emotion. Prachi Desai is paired opposite me. It was scheduled for May 1 release which has now got postponed.

Are you playing a married man’s role in Life Partner?
Yes. I am 32 now and I can play a married man.

Are you planning to settle down as well?
Hey no! Just that earlier I played a college student or an immature guy and now I am mature enough to do such roles.

You are also playing a double role in the third version of Rohit Shetty’s Golmaal series.
I only know that I am a part of the film. Rohit is yet to tell me what my character would be like. In fact, I heard about the double role from some journalist who came to interview me. All I know is that again I play a mute guy and I plan to give it another touch. This year I bagged the Screen trophy for my work in Golmaal Returns. I want to do better than that.

You worked very hard on the character in both the versions, didn’t you?
Yes, in Golmaal it was only mehnat but in Golmaal Returns, it was a challenge because there were some long winding scenes that needed immense practice. Initially there were apprehensions whether the character would be accepted. Fortunately it was an instant hit. This was all because of my voice trainer Vikas Kadam.

Any more films in the pipeline?
I have also signed a film with Sagar Ballary.

Following the trend, you have also hit the gym. Any particular reason or rather film for this.
I have decided that it is time I concentrated on my body. I am not after six- pack abs or for any film. It is just that I want to be fit. I have begun going to the gym and five times a week I work out on weights and two days, cardio. I call by trainer a kasai (butcher) because he is very strict with me as far as my work-outs are concerned. I have also to follow a strict diet. I play squash as well for four times a week. Since I am looking fit these days, even my dad is interested in my work-outs.

You have been in the industry for eight years now. Have you enjoyed your sojourn?
They have been fruitful eight years wherein I got to learn a lot. I have received appreciation as well as bagged some awards. I am happy but not really satisfied as I have a long way to go. The film industry has treated me well.

Your father’s Jumping Jack act and his white shoes have always been spoofed but were never objected to by you and your family. So what happened recently that had all of you up in arms against the comedy show on television?
We consider imitating Jumping Jack and dad’s white shoes as a compliment. But when things get too personal and affect the family, matters have to be taken seriously. This time this particular episode went off the tangent. They began discussing things like what happens inside our house and how each one of us reacts to situations and incidentally none of it was true. How would any of them know how we are inside our houses? There were lines like yeh family aisi hain or waisi hain and derogatory lines on Ekta and me. The judges did not object to what the participants were doing and it only showed that they too are frustrated with their personal lives and have nothing better to do in life. Since their professional career is not taking off, they show their exasperation by doing such shows. The entire episode was very unprofessional. And we were very upset with the production house Optimyistix as well as Sony, the channel on which it was aired. Jest is alright as long as it does not affect anyone’s sentiments. Then it becomes cheap.

Have you seen the episode? What about your parents?
My parents had seen it when it was first telecast. I caught it later. I was very angry that my family was being humiliated for no reason on the television. After that they had the audacity to invite me as the guest judge for the finale episode. I think no publicity should be given to Comedy Circus. Of course the damage has been done but I have every right to retaliate.

Even you do comedy. Have you ever thought that your act may upset someone?
I have never struck at people’s personal lives.