Tell me how did the role come to you?

I had heard about some talent scouting going on in Mumbai for a film to be made in English. They were looking for a good Asian actor who could play the key role of a Bangladeshi character. I knew in my heart that they would go for someone like Om puri or Naseeruddin Shah who were favorites for such roles in English films being made about Asians. I don't know but for the heck of it I decided to give it a try. I made them know that I was game. I sent them my photographs and my bio data without thinking of any consequences.

What happened next?

I was very happy when they asked me to appear for an audition. I knew I had done well but I also knew that the competition was going to be very tough. I tried my best because I didn't want to repent later.

What happened after the audition?

I only knew that they had told me that they would send my test to England for the director and the team to have a look. I was busy with my own world in Mumbai when busy with my own world in Mumbai when one of friends told me I was selected to played a role and I promised to show the world a new face and a new look to the Satish Kaushik they know now. I was the chosen one. I was selected to play the leading role in the film. I accepted the challenge and I was doubly excited when I realized that there were two hundred actors who were trying for the same role, including my friend Anupam Kher.

It was a major victory but it was only the beginning….?

I wrapped up all my work in India and flew to London and a new experience started for me. I was an established actor and director in India had to go through some rigorous training before the film could start. The first thing I had to learn was to speak a very different dialect of the English language. I had to speak English the way it is spoken by the Bangladeshi's settled down in England.

Why like the Bangladeshis?

Simply because the film was the story of a large section of Bangladeshis settled in a sector of London called Brick Lane. The film is based on a best selling novel of the same name written by Monica Ali. It is all about the lives of the Bangladeshis living in this area called'Brick Lane'. It is not just the name of a lane but the name of an entire colony of Bangladeshis itself. It is about the lives of the people and they have made London their home. Like one of the things I realized was that the women of this lane had never come out of their own families and had never ever visited or seen any other place in or around England.

What is the character you are playing in the film?

It is the most difficult character I have played. I can only tell you that I am the central character around whom the story revolves. I am not supposed to divulge any other details. I have played a comedian in every Hindi film I have done, but here I am playing a role like I have never before.

Who are the other actors in the film?

Tanisha Chatterjee, a known name who is also coming to Hindi films plays the other major character. All the other actor are of Asian origin and they and some of the finest actors I have worked with.

What about the technical team?

They are all well known names in English Cinema and English TV. Some of the technicians have worked in major films and TV serials, like one of them has even worked with Shekhar Kapoor in the making of the Elizabeth.

Are you satisfied with the work that you have done?

Very, very satisfied. I will never get a role like this in any Hindi films where I have been branded as a permanent comedian. It is a major film. The makers are doing everything on a very ambitious scale. I have completed all my shooting and I have also done all the promos, the publicity and other post completion work. The film will be a major entry at all the major festivals in the world which means that I will be exposed to a whole new audience which an actor always craves for.

And what if you are flooded with offers to act in other films made in other countries?

I will cross every bridge at the right time. I can't say anything now.

And what about your work in India…?

India will always come first in the list of my priorities. I have already been signed

To direct a number of films and also to play key roles as the comedian as usual. I will pay all the attention to my work in India first because it is my country which has made me whatever I am today. I have my own major plan to branch out as a film – maker on my own. Just wait for some time and you will see a new Satish Kaushik they know till now. India deserves all that I can give to it; all the others will only be my second best even if I am tempted with the best of offers. That's my promise.

You had once formed a team of a film makers with your friend, Anupam Kher and then with Anil Kapoor, another good friend. What happened?

The ambitious and the fulfillment of those ambitions had to match but some how today I have not been able to understand what went wrong. I believe such things are not planned but destined. It was a great experience working towards one goal, but what can you do when destiny has other plans for you.

But you are still planning to make another film with Anupam?

It is still too early to talk about our plans. We are still working out some ideas and I think the best time to talk about them is when everything is finalized on papers

So, in the meanwhile you have decided to go solo and make your own films?

I have realized that is the only way out. I am aware of all the competition of all the plans of the corporates to take over the industry. But let me tell you from whatever experience I have that this industry does not work only o money power. Money is important, but alternately it is the creative power that is going to conquer every other power, including the great money power.

But you too have been offered by the corporate filmmakers…

I would be lying if I said I was not. I have been offered some of the most attractive temptation. I have been offered the kind of money only a foolish man in today's time can say no to it. But I must frankly tell you that I have resisted most of my temptation because at this stage it is not the big money that matters to me really, but the ambition to make film that a mark and a place for me.

You have just completed a major part of the shooting of KARZZZ which is a remake of Subhash Ghai's KARZ?

I have decided to direct karzzz only when I was fully satisfied with the entire idea of to do what Mr. Subhash Ghai did more than thirty five years ago, but I decided to take a very bid risk and I feel I have done justice to Mr. Ghai's film and have even made attempts to see that the subject of the film is accepted by people who saw the film than and who will see my film now. I have tried to give the subject of reincarnation a new life. My producers, T series have also taken a bold step in making one of the most ambitious films of our times. They have spared no effort or money to make the film the way we wanted to as a team. We have succeeded in making the film just the film we wanted. Himesh Reshamiya who is a leading man and also a music director has done hell of a job which has to be seen and heard to be believed. This is one film which can even give me a new birth as a director.

What was the motto behind your own banner now?

To show that films can be made in other ways than they are being made today. I have decided to take on new subjects and even find new comer and make films that will make attempts to show film makers a new ray of hope

What happened to your film TERE SANGH with new comers?

It is still waiting for a chance to see the light of day. You know, hoe difficult it is to sell a film for new comers, however good the film you have made can be.

What is a major talent like you doing in an insignificant film like DHOOM DADAKKA?

Basically I am a born actor and it is my job to take on any role that comes my way. I agree some of the roles actors like me play are not being written for us. I have not given up hope the good time of the good actor is coming and will come and more than anything it is a matter of our dal roti.