Many eyebrows were raised when Arshad Warsi, in spite of the stupendous success of Lage Raho Munna Bhai, decided to do television again.

Arshad explains, “It’s not really a return to television. I’m hosting Bigg Boss. I love the concept. But I’m not one of the contestants. Please, I’d never do that! But I didn’t mind hosting the show because it doesn’t take up much time. Each time a contestant is voted out I’ve to console him/her and play the shrink. It all depends on the temperament of the participants. I’d lo---v-e to talk to Rakhi Sawant,” Arshad winks. “I’d ask her to just be herself.”

But the real reason why Arshad decided to do Bigg Boss comes out in a confessional tumble. “I needed a solid reason to remain in Mumbai. I’ve been travelling to all kinds of wild places. I was supposed to go to Australia, New Zealand for appearances and shooting. I grabbed this reason to stay in Mumbai. I was looking for time with my son Zeke. Now I’ve got it.”

Arshad lights up at the mention of his son. “We’ve a special bonding now. And when I leave the house he actually cries for me! Thank God, he finally knows his father. I try to take him wherever I can. Just the other day I took him for a TV shoot. But the minute I came on the camera he ran after me. I do want to spend as much time as possible with Zeke. Now financial security has become a big deal. I want my wife Maria and Zeke to have a much better life than I’ve had.”

Lage Raho Munna Bhai has triggered off a new phase in Arshad’s life and career. “Part 1 had opened up the doors of the film industry for me. Part 2 has opened up the roles for me. I’m getting such wonderful roles. When anyone wants a dependable actor in a pivotal role they come to me.”

Arshad had said ‘yes’ to a very interesting grey role in a South Indian remake produced by Anil Kapoor. “Anil isn’t only the producer, but also the film’s hero. I play the second lead. I play an actor. When I heard the script I was bowled over. I like my role so much. It’s like Govind multiplied by 10. You’ll love to hate this character. If my character doesn’t deliver, the film falls. That feels good. Anil’s film is a comedy, but at the same time, moving. I play a complete jerk. Audiences will hate this character. But I want to enjoy my character’s wickedness.”

Kabeer Kaushik who gave Arshad a rare opportunity to play the lead in Sehar, has a very amazing supernatural film. “Kabeer wants me at the forefront of all his films. That feels good. Because I’m still considered for strong second leads. The leads I get are not from dependable producers and directors, as it is with Saif. What’s the point of putting my heart and soul in a film that might not get released? I’m treading very cautiously after Lage Raho… I’ll feel very irresponsible if I did a bad film.

Arshad plays a footballer along with John Abraham in Vivek Agnihotri’s Goal. “I’ve always been a good sportsman. I’m told I’ve a parallel role to John…Speaking of John, I'm going to be seen with him in my next release, Kabul Express. It’s one of my most balanced films. John and I have equal footage. We’re together in every frame. John’s character is a serious and committed journalist. I’m more casual .”

It was gruelling shooting for Kabul Express in Afghanistan. “It was seriously problematic to be kissed by these big bearded men all the time. John got sick. But Kabul Express was very well received at the Toronto Film Festival. John got mobbed. Every time there was a press conference there were loads of girls shouting, ‘John, we love you.’ John loved it. Me? I’d rather have these things said to me in private,” Arshad jokes. “But a lot of foreigners had seen my work. And they saw me with a whole new expression on their face after the film was screened.”

Sighs Arshad, “I need the right people to back me. I want to do solo leads with big banners. I do get tempted to do the wrong films. But I’m firm.”

Er…what about Zamanat? “Ohhhh….that! I have a helluva lot of respect for the producer S. Ramanathan. He stood by me when financiers asked him to throw me. He had been told to sack Amitabh Bachchan from Bombay To Goa. Mr Ramanathan stood his ground. What am I doing in Zamanat? I play Karisma Kapoor’s love interest. There’s no serious continuity jumps in the film.”

Subhash K. Jha