The IPL cricket boom must have come as a boon for you, considering your new film Jannat is based on cricket...

Well, yes, the timing is perfect. But this is not something that we had planned. When we had planned the film, we knew about the IPL, but at that time it was only on paper; and we did not know that it would be such a big hit. I hope that like the IPL, our film Jannat too will be a hit; no, a superhit!

Which team are you supporting?

We had gone to Hyderabad to support the Deccan Chargers but if I had to support a team in the IPL, I would support the team from my city — the Mumbai Indians.

Your IPL visit also kicked up a controversy when the cheerleaders kissed you...

(Laughs) I laugh at people who have made this incident into a controversy. It was something that just happened. People who have nothing to do in life search for spice like this and make news out of this. But ours is a free country and each one has an opinion about each and every thing.

Have IPL and Jannat made you more aware of cricket?

Well yes. Though I still cannot sit through a 50-over cricket match, T20 is a completely different format. When you are back from a hard day’s work, you can watch something very interesting, which keeps you on your feet.

So do you play cricket now?

Well, I can’t play cricket as of now; there is not enough time on hand. But yes, after Jannat releases, I would definitely like to play cricket.

As you are playing a bookie in the film, you must have learnt about the odds and betting in cricket. Will a layman understand?

All the business intricacies are not shown in the film. I play a bookie. The movie shows how a bookie changes the odds. India, especially Mumbai, is a hub for betting and there are crores of rupees riding on a match.

Recently you started shooting for Raaz 2...

Yes, it is shaping up very well. It will change the concept of horror films in India. When you talk about horror films, you hardly get scared; but Raaz 2 will not be like that. And to top it all, it is my favourite genre. It is a completely new film and it does not take off from where Raaz left off. There is also a lot of pressure on us because of the success of Raaz which had great music and great performances. Raaz 2 does have great music.

If the film is not continuing after Raaz, why name it Raaz 2?

In Raaz, the secret unfolds in the end — which is also the case with this film. So we decided to name it Raaz 2.

If horror is your favourite genre, why did it take you six years to act in a horror film?

The horror genre has not done very well in the country. We wanted to be sure about the script. It took us a lot of time for that but now we have found the right story.

Which is your favourite horror film?

There are a lot of them. I saw a film recently called Orphanage — I forgot whether it is an Italian or a French film, but it was terrific. Other than that, there are classics like The Omen and The Exorcist.

Does your wife Parveen also see these films or is she into romantic films?

My wife also watches horror films with me — she has no choice. I like watching horror films, and she ends up watching them with me.

When are you planning to expand your family?

I have been married for a year and a half. I don’t want to start my family for the next one-and-a-half or two years from now.

What would you like your son to be — an actor or a cricketer?

As of now, I want my son to be a cricketer... now they make more money than actors (laughs).