How different is your character in KUCH MEETHA HO JAAYE from the circuit of MUNNABHAI MBBS?

I am playing the sharaabi character of Amitabh Bachchan in Kuch Meetha Ho Jaaye. He is a modern-day Devdas who does not drown himself in sorrows. On the contrary, he makes fun and keeps a pleasant atmosphere by cracking shaairee and gives the required relief to all. The circuit of Munnabhai MBBS used to speak tapori language but I am a totally hi-fi personality in this film although keeping the comedy alive in both the films.

It is said that you are Jaya Bachchan's favorite hero.

Oh yes, she likes me very much as she felt that after the sharaabi character which Amitjee did, it was only me who made her happy as a sharaabi in Tere Mere Sapne but that sharaabi scene had to be deleted from the film.

Before MUNNABHAI MBBS, you were out of news.

I did the solo hero film Hero Hindustani as it had all the ingredients of a hit film. But it didn't do well. I think the release timing and the weak promotion took its toll. Betaabi was a very good film when it was narrated to me. But the end result proved to be quite the contrary. Mere Do Anmol Ratan was said to be a comedy film but it ended in a melodrama. Those days wherever the director says, "aap ghar mein baithe hain aur soch rahe hain kee… then I would feel that I was sitting in my own house and thinking about those beautiful visuals of the film.

But now I have matured and every script narrated to me has the fullest details of the types of properties. When I am go through the minutest details of the script, the director also feels happy and he scrutinizes it more and puts extra energy in the subject since I have to score better and more than Munnabhai MBBS or Hulchul. I have seen the ups and downs of life. Tell me, which actor has not seen ups and down in life?

Do you think you are getting out of the circuit character of MUNNABHAI MBBS?

When Amjad Khan did Gabbar's role, he was hailed as Gabbar on every set for almost ten years after the release of Sholay. When Manoj Bajpayee did Satya he become popular as Bhiku Mhatre and even after so many years after Satya's release he is still remembered as Satya 'wala' hero. Now, I hear the same old story about me who is still in the hangover of circuit of Munnabhai MBBS. Believe me, I forgot the role and character of Circuit immediately after I completed my last day's shoot of the film. I have to concentrate and be focussed on the other roles, which I will be playing in the forthcoming films.

How do you rate your heroines?

I feel Mahima Chaudhary is the most intelligent among all the heroines with whom I have worked so far. For me intelligence and beauty go together. I also wish to be paired opposite Sushmita Sen whom I find the sexiest among the current lot of big heroines.

How much important is money for you?

Yes, money is important for everybody. I wish I could have lived in a jungle if there was no money on hand. Even during my low days, I traveled a lot and kept myself in good humour. I never sulk. I am never frustrated. I always remain calm and don't take tensions. I have been like that ever since I was a child.

How do you rate Samar Khan as a director?

He is very flexible, very energetic, very humorous and a great friend of mine now.

Which are your forthcoming films?

I have completed the role of a hardcore police inspector in Shehar, which will be followed by Chocolate, Kisse Pyaar Karoon, Rokda and Gopi Kishan. I am playing a hen pecked husband in Yash Chopra's Salaam Namaste and again I am doing the same old circuit in Munnabhai II where Sanju meets Mahatma Gandhi. This will be another hilarious role I will be playing.