Forget South Africa, what about India? You’ve become a heartthrob here.
No female fan has landed at my house; nobody has proposed marriage to me, nobody has sent me underwear. Even in Mumbai, just about 20 girls wave at me when I’m driving on the roads. I’m disappointed. So, I don’t know how people think girls are crazy for me. They say media hypes things, maybe they’ve hyped this too. But I’m not complaining.

What is your maamu (Aamir Khan)’s verdict on your acting?
He recently saw Kidnap and his exact words to me were, “You’ve done well.” That’s a step up from Jaane Tu… for which where he said, “You’re ok.” So, I have reason to feel happy.

Does Aamir guide you in acting?
Acting is a personal thing; you can’t tell anyone how to do it. I’ve learnt Aamir doesn’t have any system to his acting. His approach is scene-by-scene. He’s pretty instinctive.

Jack Nicholson once said, “If it works, it’s method.”
(Smiles) That’s brilliant. You know, I’ve met Jack Nicholson. When I was studying in Los Angeles, I worked as a camera operator on the reality show, Celebrity House Party. Nicholson walked in at a party and when I went to take his shots, he hid his face. I must have tried thrice to get his footage but he didn’t want to be shot. As I chased him, I realised I was acting like a paparazzi. So I went up to him and said, “Excuse me, sir. I want to apologise for my behaviour. I didn’t want to harass you.” Nicholson looked at me, puffed at his cigarette and said, “Don’t apologise. You’re doing your job. I understand that.” Can you imagine that? At the same party, just half an hour later, Brett Ratner (director of the Rush Hour movies) clicked his fingers at me and spoke very rudely. That night, I realised Nicholson has class and success doesn’t mean a thing if you aren’t well-behaved.

And now you’re playing a badly-behaved guy in Kidnap?
Yeah, I’m playing bad, violent Kabir in Kidnap—a total departure from non-violent Jai of Jaane Tu…. It’s been a struggle to play this part as I couldn’t connect with the character. I could understand Jai but this guy is incomprehensible. I wasn’t a wee bit nervous about Jaane Tu… but I’m very scared about Kidnap.

Apparently, you’ve done many outrageous things in Kidnap. Anything that shook you up?
Breaking the mirror with a washbasin and stuff was okay but a sequence before the interval really traumatised me. In that scene, I become very violent with co-star Minissha Lamba. The very intense and gruesome scene left me shattered. I couldn’t sleep that night. I was crying and throwing up. Also, we shot the scene when Minissha and I didn’t know each other well. The next day, I went up to her and told her what the scene did to me. That increased our comfort level and we became friends.

It’s an action film. Did you train for it?
Yes, I had to learn Parcour (the classic obstacle-course method of military training) and scuba-diving. I also worked out since the role demanded beefy muscles. I even changed the music on my iPod. Normally, I listen to old Hindi music and classic rock but for Kidnap, I listened to thrash metal.

In real life, are you a bad boy?
I’m a very good boy. I’m a healthy eater, have no bad vices and I tell my mom everything.

What’s with the tattoo you’re flaunting in Kidnap?
I’ve had it since I was 17. My best friend, Sahil, designed it for both of us. It’s an X in a circle, which basically stands for Generation X. We wanted to become tattoo brothers. My mom jokes that if ever we get lost in a mela, the tattoo will help identify us.

The industry thinks you and Ranbir Kapoor will carry forward the torch from the Khans. Do you agree?
It does seem like that. Ranbir and I are the same age. Somewhere, we fit into the same genre. Ranbir is damn charming. He has a lot of things that I wish I had, like he’s so smooth and easy and he really dances well. The latter is something I desperately need to learn.

Apparently, Bipasha Basu is very keen to work with you.
I keep reading that. I haven’t met her. If someone offers me a nice script with her, I’d love to do it.

Any other leading lady you’d like to work with?
The only girl I wanted to work with was Minissha. I really liked her in Yahaan. Other than that, I can’t say.

Amitabh Bachchan has gone on record to say he’s mighty impressed with you.
He’s been very kind. Hugging me at the premiere of Jaane Tu…, he had said, “Welcome to the industry.” He sent me a handwritten letter congratulating me on my performance. It’s something I’ll cherish all my life. I must say, his penmanship is marvelous.

Sad to miss out on director Abbas Tyrewala’s next film?
I would’ve loved to be a part of Abbas’ next film. But it doesn’t bother me that I’m not. It’s a creative thing. He didn’t think I suited the role. It’s not personal.

Any plans of making your own team (read camp)?
Not at all. Then you end up working for the wrong reasons. It’s foolish to work with someone because he’s your friend.

Why is it that the only other film you’ve signed is Aamir’s production, Delhi Belly?
Of some 120 scripts that I’ve read in the last few months, only Delhi Belly was truly spectacular. It’s in English and primarily aimed at the festival circuit. Contrary to reports, it’s not a sex but a caper comedy. I’m in no hurry to sign anything unless it really grabs me. Once Delhi Belly is complete, I’ll be jobless. But that’s ok.