You have become a producer now when acting has been your passion always. What kind of changes have you noticed in yourself?

Production has never been easy. In the past having worked for so many great productions, I have realized every detail has to be organized. Anything that we have to do, someone else has to organize it for you. But I have had a great team. My partner Dinesh has been amazing and so it was not like everything was on me. Imtiaz told me in the beginning of the film that I only want you to be an actor and not deal with regular production problems and others. I have been more interested in all creative decisions like promos and stuff. The other aspects of production have been handled by my partner.

You have been very old in the industry but in terms of production "Love Aaj Kal" is your baby. Are you nervous anywhere?

I think when a film is complete and is due to release, one is always nervous. But as a producer I do feel very different and in a different way because it is my product. So everything that has been designed and done is a result of my decision. It is a little frightening sometimes but it is also very exciting and it is something I feel very positive about.

What made you take so long to become a producer when others have started very early?

My interest really is not so much in production but it's a couple of things. After working for eighteen years I thought it would be nice to own a little bit of what I was working for and for myself. I was creatively more involved. It is ok to have opinions as actors but when your own money is involved then those inputs mean something else. I want to learn more about the business that has given me so much. I was not ready earlier and now I am ready and game for it.

The lead lady of the film is yet a mystery woman. So who is she and why are you not declaring her?

She is not really a mystery. She is a nice surprise in the film but the reason she is not here is because we felt the main focus of the movie is Deepika and myself. The other characters are wonderful characters and keeping the lead lady away is not something we have done dramatically.

What made you choose "Love Aaj Kal" as your first film as a producer?

I think when one hears a script and gets vibes about it that is when even I made a decision. A great actor once said, "The clever thing an actor does is not acting, it is the listening he does in the drawing room and choosing of the script". When Imtiaz narrated the script to me I knew it was the right script to start with.

What do you think has changed with regards to love then and now since it is also depicted in your film "Love Aaj Kal"?

I think the feeling of love is same. All love stories have certain obstacles and those obstacles can change. In today's times it could be career and distance while in our parents times it used to be something else. So the process of falling in love is sometimes different, depending on the era but the feeling is the same. That is pretty much also what the film is about. The sixties portion is a part of the film. It is a story within the story. There is not any comparison.

What is the story of the film"?

The story is primarily about this guy called Jai who doesn't believe in love. He thinks the legendary love stories are just these filmy stories and thinks the books about love have ruined our lives. They make people think this is the way love should be whereas actually it is a little more practical. He comes across this person who tells him how he used to be when he was younger. That is the role which I am also playing. It could be confusing now but when you see the film it will be very clear. There is a story within the story that involves this Sardar.

Was it difficult to play a Sardar on screen?

Playing a Sardar had some responsibilities to it also. We met various members of Sikh organizations and they were all very happy because Dolly aunty has done my clothes for a Sardar and they are superb. I think a lot of Sardarji's would be very proud because of the accurate and honourable presentation that this character has given. It was actually quite easy playing it. I had to work on the accent for it but on the whole I enjoyed it.