What was it like working with Rohit in ‘Kaabil’?
We didn’t have many scenes together, but we did spend time on the sets. It feels good to have your brother in the same film.
Whose idea was it to cast two brothers as the villains?
Not sure, I think probably Guddu ji (Rakesh Roshan).
Was it a good experience working with Guddu ji (Rakesh Roshan)?
It’s amazing, Guddu ji is a fantastic person. I always say this – whoever it is, like Salman, special people have that special quality in them, that’s why they are special; otherwise, we all work hard and all that.
So, what is it about Guddu ji?
Everything about him is special. Chintu ji (Rishi Kapoor), Guddu ji, and Jeetu ji (Jeetendra), they are all one gang. In fact, I was talking to him this morning.
You worked with Hrithik Roshan.
Again, special people have something very special with them. I know him since his first film, and I know he is Guddu ji’s son, but when you are cast in a film where he is a star, you really don’t know what to do. So, you take a safe route. So, saying ‘good morning, sir’ is the safest way to call him, because with some actors, you don’t know. I have spent time with him, but I have never worked with him. So, one day went by, and the next day, we were having lunch, and there was a knock on my door. The guy said, ‘HR sir is calling.’ And things are going in my head, ‘What happened? Did I do something wrong?’ So, I went to his van and said, ‘Can I come in?’ And his entourage was there, and he said to the guys, ‘Can you…’ and they left. He said, ‘Ronit, I have a problem with you.’ I said, ‘Tell me, sir.’ He said, ‘This, this, sir… I didn’t understand this. You are calling me sir. This is not going to work with me. I find it difficult to be your friend if you are calling me sir all the time. You call me Duggu.’
Were you surprised when he made a comment saying he would like his sons to have a bond like you and Rohit?
I was like, ‘Where did this come from?’ But he noticed something, it was very nice.
Is there any scene or film you find very difficult to do?
No, not really. You have been playing characters which are not you, of course, that is the actor about…
This is a very interesting story. Back to square one, where this, yeah, hero. Sun, I came, and my first experience was of a superstar. Rajesh Khanna sahab arriving at Sun N Sand hotel – from the gate to the lobby is 25 meters – it took him 25 minutes to reach there. That kind of audience… I was standing behind the glass and looked, and the girls and people would not let his car move. And I said, ‘Yeah, this is what a star is, and this is what I want.’ So, I came with the concept of being a hero, and for the longest time, I played a star. Recently, I went onto television – the second coming, so to say – from there, I said, ‘Boss, yeah, star, tu thik hai. Apun ko actor ban na hai.’ So, I started educating myself. So, over two decades of educating myself – every actor has a method, whether they know it or not, they do have a method. My method is bookish. I write for the character that I play. So, still, you have done so much work on your character that you know, so there is clarity ke yeah banda hai. So, you let the director with all that take. That process makes me very confident. But most of characters start with, ‘Oh damn, yeah, kaise karunga, yeah, kaise hoga?’ So, when I am listening to the visuals, then there are vivid visuals. So, how we take it, juice it down, and take on the paper, there is a system to do it. It is not difficult to play a character, but every character has challenges.
If there is no challenge, there is no joy?
I am waiting for a film called ‘Farrey’ which is coming on November 24, and this is the exact opposite of ‘Udaan.’ The person who you will see in ‘Farrey’ is more of me, the real Ronit.
So, you don’t have this special bond with Salman? Because your brother Rohit he calls him my bro, so that spills over to you, considered to you also family and bro?
No, no. My bond is much deeper. We grew together. A couple of times, we struggled together. And of course, he was very naraaz with me for something. I don’t think I ever did that, so it’s all clear now.
He thought you have done something?
He thought. Now, let’s say I don’t remember, but I told him that I don’t remember any such thing. If it is true, then I am sorry. I don’t want to hurt my friend, mere bachpan ka dost hai. If I need him, I’ll call him, and he is one of those very special people. Special things I have seen him do. The best thing about him is he doesn’t let anybody know; he just quietly does. And he has an elephant’s memory; he is so sharp, my God.
He doesn’t forgive, forget also?
He forgave me. Mere liye itna kafi hai.
The next thing to watch out for you is ‘Farrey’?
‘Farrey’ is a very beautiful film. Those kids – I’m completely shocked how such young people can put in a performance like this.”