I was thrown out of a school play since I forgot my lines. That’s how good an actor I was! In 1983, I was in Los Angeles and had gone out to pick up a friend. While I was waiting, a lady came up to me and asked whether I wanted to act. Later, I found out that she was a big casting director. That sowed the seeds about becoming an actor in my mind. After that I returned to India and started modelling. I met the producer of my first film, Pahlaj Nihalani, in the toilet of a five-star hotel! Then Aag Hi Aag happened and was followed by movies like Paap Ki Duniya and Tezaab.

After Aankhen, I decided to take a break. So I moved to Bangladesh and did movies there. But after marriage, I decided to get back to Mumbai. I did Qayamat:City Under Threat and Elaan which gave me an idea about how the industry had changed. Then D Company happened and I got a congratulatory call from Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi for my performance. That was a big moment. My second innings has been engineered by Subhas Ghai. After Apna Sapna Money Money, I’m getting a lot of big offers. That movie was a big turning point in my career. Another huge moment was when

I metitabh Bachchan at a party. I was hosting Superhit Muqabla at that time. He walked up to me and said, “You are a very good host.” Zara Nachke Dikha, which I’m hosting on Star One, is going to be the next big thing for me. I have never b judge before.

I am presently doing seven movies. In Sankat City, I have a double role, Daddy Cool is a dark comedy and in Shotgun I play an acting guru. Then, I play Shyamgopal Sharma in Khalbali Re Khalbali and Ronnie and Rocky is a story about an animated dog. The other two movies — both by Mukta Arts — are Hello Darling, where I play Elvis Presley and Paying Guest.

(As told to Promita Mukherjee)