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There is a certain kind of films that you have come to be associated with...
It’s my career and my choices. At the end of the day, movies are a business. And I let the numbers speak. I have never tom-tommed about the 100-crore club. I have a soft corner for universally appealing, all-out entertainers. If I get a character in the commercial format that can be fleshed out, I would be happier. But, for now, I am happy doing commercial films.
Do you see yourself moving out of the mould?
I have no conditions that films that I am a part of have to be big-budgeted but that’s the kind of work that is coming my way. I know that the line between commercial and indie films is blurring but I don’t see myself venturing into parallel cinema. I want to concentrate on commercial films.
So, does the fact that you have three films in the 100-crore club not mean much to you?
Well, it hasn’t gone to my head for sure. I have always been a grounded person. I understand that these are just tags. Considering how quickly the business is growing, it is just a matter of months that Rs 100 crore will not be uncommon.
Does it put extra pressure on you?
Not really. I don’t sign a film because I think it is going to be a Rs 100-crore film. I don’t think of numbers.
You have worked with Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar and now Abhishek Bachchan. Don’t you want to work with younger actors?
I think I have been very lucky. Most actresses start off with younger actors and then move to the superstars. Having said that, I would love to work with younger actors. Obviously, the kind of interactions that I would have with someone who is the same age as me would be a lot more fun. I wasn’t exactly on back-slapping terms with Aamir, Ajay or Akshay. I would like to work with Ranveer (Singh), Shahid (Kapoor), Ranbir (Kapoor) and Imran (Khan).
Ajay, Rohit Shetty and Abhishek have the reputation of being complete pranksters...
I call them the Gunda Boy Gang! They have known each other and have worked together for years, so obviously they know each other really well. Rohit is not much of a prankster. I think he likes to keep his serious I-am-the-captain-of-this-ship image intact. Ajay is the mastermind. He looks like a very serious person but he is not. Abhishek is brilliant at executing a prank. Thankfully, they didn’t try anything on me during the shoot but now that the promotions have started, I am worried (laughs)!
It has been a little over three years since you moved to Bollywood from the south. Has it been an easy transition?
Not really. Everything is different here. From people’s work styles to everyone’s lifestyle, it was a lot of adjustment but I think I have managed. So I would say that it has been a good journey.
There have been some link-up rumours about you. How do you deal with them?
There is nothing to deal with! They are rumours that die a natural death. Fortunately for me, my parents understand that it’s a part and parcel of being a celebrity.
What is the craziest rumour that you’ve heard about yourself?
There have been so many! I remember reading that I was gifted a puppy by Salman (laughs). I don’t know where that poor puppy is because I haven’t gotten one.
A lot was made out of your friendship with Sonam Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez and now Raveena Tandon...
Raveena is, actually, one of my oldest friends in Mumbai. I think we initially bonded because we share our birthday (October 26). I got to know Jacky during Housefull 2. All four of us (Asin, Jacqueline, Zareen Khan and Shazahn Padamsee) got along really well and we are still in touch with each other. And Sonam and I have been friends since 2002. She is very friendly and we are on the same wavelength.
Can actresses be friends?
Of course! In my experience it is possible. I have never had any issues with my co-stars. Obviously, it’s tough to be best-friends because all of us are so busy. But if you are a secure person, it is possible to be friends with other actresses.
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