Kunal Khemu

For the first time, you are not sporting your trademark long-haired look. Are you try to bring in a new look with Dhoondte Reh Jaoge?

I have been wanting to cut my hair for a long time now; but I couldn’t because it would have resulted in continuity problems for the films I was shooting. While I was doing Dhoondte Reh Jaoge and 99, I got the opportunity to cut my hair; and I did so. I can’t completely change my look for a film but when I learn about my character, I do try to bring in a certain look... of course in consultation with the director.

Considering Sonu Sood is playing 11 roles in Dhoondte Reh Jaoge, did you ever feel insecure?

The 11 different characters that Sonu is doing are not 11 different roles in the film. It is just that the script involves several hit characters. As far as being insecure is concerned, I was the second guy after Paresh Rawal to sign Dhoondte Reh Jaoge. We all are professionals and we have signed up for the script. When people see the film, they will come to know the story and who is doing what.

What do you play in the film?

Contrary to popular belief, I’m not a director in the movie. My character is an honest and simple lower-middle-class guy who is very low on self-esteem. He meets the character played by Paresh Rawal and they decide to become producers and make a film.

Did you draw inspiration from the many film producers you must have met?

When my character becomes a producer, he is very unlike a producer because he has no clue how the job is done or what he is supposed to do.

Kunal Khemu with Soha Ali Khan in Dhoondte Reh Jaoge

Is Paresh Rawal funny in real life?

There is a huge age difference between the two of us, so we don’t hang around like friends. I respect him a lot. I have seen his plays and he is phenomenal on stage.

In real life are you funny?

I can be funny at times. I have my own weird sense of humour.

Your last release, Superstar, was a year back. Now you have three films back to back. Do you feel you need to time your releases better?

In movie making, there are three stages — pre-production, shooting and post-production. Sometimes, a film can get delayed in any of these. As a result you end up with just one release a year while sometimes there are three releases in three months. I have three films back-to-back and all three of them are entertaining, commercial films. I’m looking forward to see how people react to them.

Your next release will be Jai Veeru with Fardeen. How was it working with him?

I had a great time working with Fardeen. Even though he is senior to me, he has always been there as a friend. For the first two days, I was apprehensive about him but from the third day onwards we got along like a house on fire.

99 is a solo-hero project for you, with Soha. Are you making an effort to go solo?

I’m not making an effort, I am game for good stories. Some stories are one- hero subjects while some are two-hero themes.

After Dhoondte Reh Jaoge and 99, there is a buzz about Soha and you. Are you dating her?

We are doing two films together so these things are bound to happen. You get paired with your co-star. Soha and I are close friends so we do hang around a lot together. But we are just good friends, no dating as such from any side.