What are your criteria for selection of a project that you want to work on? How and why did you choose Nishabd?

I chose Nishabd because of the following reasons, firstly because it was a different story, secondly because it was brought by Ram Gopal Varma and lastly because it was a very challenging role for me as an actor.

Were there any apprehensions or hesitations that you felt before taking Nishabd on and how were they resolved?

There were no apprehensions at all. We decided on the subject, it took us five minutes and within a week we were on location and completed the shoot in twenty five days.

Despite of your relationship with RGV, how different was it working on this project as compared to the other past projects like Sarkar?

Well obviously it was a different experience. The quality of the story is different. This is a more sensitive subject, which is done extremely aesthetically. Surprisingly the subject came up from Ram Gopal Varma who is generally associated with wild and gangster oriented stories. But I must say that he has done a marvelous job and perhaps it surpasses all the other more violent roles that he has done. So that was a huge attraction. The fact that why do we do something like this, which the society is not going to accept, are the challenges which every creative person has to accept and take up. Creativity would be worthless if a person follows a particular norm. In fact from time immemorial, our film industry has been criticized because we make the same type of movies. So I feel that this is a departure from the same type of format and that's why I chose to do this film. I am happy that we did it together. I have a good working relationship with him. I find him more intellectual than most people would believe him to be. He is very passionate about films and particularly Indian cinema. He always wants to do something, which is off beat and unique, which is a very progressive thought. I am happy that he chose me in a film like Sarkar and has the faith and confidence in me to work in a film like Nishabd. Hopefully the audience will be able to see the difference once the film is released.

You are also working on Sholay, can you tell us the transition experience from Jay to Gabbar?

This is just another day in the life of an actor we play different roles and different characters. So now I am playing the villain Gabbar and I have to deal with that type of a character. And so I am happy to be paying a messy, ugly, villainous role. It is a very challenging role again for an actor.

From the younger generation to the older generation, you seem to be the epitome of energy, how do you manage all of it?

Till my body is working I will do it, otherwise I will stop working. That is the only response that I can give you. Till the time I feel I am capable of managing my work, I will keep on working. Once I cannot handle it, I will automatically stop!

Being a superstar and the busiest man in the industry, how do you manage the balance in your life with so many responsibilities and commitments?

I think that management is very important. I have some very efficient people who look after my time and tell me where to go and what to do. I just go there and do my job. I think twenty-four hours in a day is enough to take care of all these commitments and all these other jobs that I have in hand. Luckily, I don't think anyone is complaining. Till that is happening I am happy.

The fact that you are taking up unconventional roles shows a steak of experimentation and adventure from Nishabd to Sholay and also for that matter Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, is this intentional?

No, these are just the roles coming my way. I don't go out telling them make something like this. I just take whatever comes my way and I am fortunate that I get such type of roles. I think its every actor's dream to do as many varying roles as possible. So I am happy that these opportunities are coming my way. I know its difficult to get a role at this age but as I said I am very fortunate to bag these roles and to get appreciated by my audience.

What are the moral questions that Nishabd will raise?

I don't think there are any moral issues because we are not finding a solution but making a film on an odd situation that has arisen in the lives of two individual people and what is the direction that makes us take on that situation. We are not here to preach anything. We are not here to tell you that this is moral and this is immoral. This is not acceptable to the society. We have just taken a situation, which could happen and does happen in the lives of individuals.

A lot of actors of your age and experience would definitely mind doing such type of roles, but obviously you have opted for it. What are your thoughts on it?

I am not so sure whether they would mind or no. I don't know whether there are any cases like that or no. I can imagine that everyone will look upon themselves as actors. And I would like to believe that the criteria for accepting something like this emanates from the fact that you are getting to play something different and unique. This is a huge opportunity for an actor to play something different. I will not stop myself from taking up any fresh challenges or roles, which perhaps could be extremely controversial or could be seemingly not acceptable. I think, right now, before the release of the film, Nishabd is misunderstood but I believe that once the film is out, people will have a completely different viewpoint on it.