You’ve been in news for all the weight you’ve recently lost. Have you been taking your critics too seriously?
It’s amazing the way the media has been putting all sorts of numbers to my weight loss. While it’s flattering, I must admit the figures are extremely exaggerated. For me weight had been more of a mental issue, a mental fight with myself. I always worked out to lose in numbers. But that has changed — exercising is now more about fitness and less about weight loss. It’s encouraging to receive all the compliments. But, I don’t derive my identity from criticism or praise by others.

But you did react to the criticism meted out for your outfits some time ago.
Yes, I do thank them for their feedback on that front. I today realise that I should always go by my gut and wear what I want to. I revel in the fact that I have a very Indian face and accept that my looks may limit the scope of movies that I do but by no means can this be a drawback.

You’ve been the favourite punching bag of the media. Why don’t you ever react to the rumours?
There’s a very beautiful line in Kishore Kumar’s song: Kuch to log kahenge, logon ka kaam hai kehena. It’s people’s job to talk and meddle in people’s businesses. I want my work to do all the talking and don’t think I need to react.

But how about all the rumours linking you to your co-stars?
I take all those rumours as a compliment. Pardon me for being immodest but if you say my acting— the chemistry— makes you feel I am really in love, I think I am doing good work. If good chemistry translates into an alleged affair then so be it; I welcome it all.