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How was the first day of shooting with your daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai for Sarkar Raj. What kind of equation do you share with her in the film?
Aishwarya plays an important part in moving the film’s story structure forward. She shares a good relationship with both Abhishek and me and is an importantingredient in the final outcome of the story.The first day of the shoot was invigorating, special, emotional, warm and extremely satisfying.

Even before the release of Ramgopal Varma Ki Aag there are reports about you planning another film with him that will all three of you in the film, which the director initially wanted to make with Shah Rukh Khan. Is it true?
Ramu and I talk constantly of several projects simultaneously. It’s a common phenomenon with most artist-director relationships. Yes we have talked of projects that could involve all three of us. I am unaware whether the projects he has spoken of have also been discussed with Shah Rukh. That will be Ramu’s prerogative. It is very unlikely in today’s time that someone would design something with Shah Rukh and then instead work with me. It would be a sacrilege and very self-destructive if he did that.

Why do you think went wrong with Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (JBJ)? Also critics did question your presence in the film as the role had nothing to offer an actor of your calibre?
What went wrong with JBJ was that the audience did not like it. Critics not liking my presence because it had nothing to offer me could be justified. I did it because the film involved Shaad, Abhishek, Adi and Yashraj and the great time I had working in their earlier project Bunty Aur Babli. It was never meant to be a test of calibre; a commodity, I believe to be very scarce in my repertoire.

Of late you have been seen in films in which you have interesting get ups whether it is the chef with a pony tail or your character in Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. Even your forthcoming films like Bhootnath and Aag too have you in novel get ups. Don’t you think that get ups mostly spoil the role?
Get ups justify the effort desired to be playing different roles. Playing myself all the time would be pretty monotonous and dry. Actors need constantly to be tested and challenged in through different characterisations. A role can be spoilt by a bad performance, a bad script, a bad director. Never have I heard of a get up spoiling a role.

Animation has become an in thing in Hindi films. We have heard that Shweta has floated a company that deals with animation films…
Right now, there is nothing on the anvil. But who can say about tomorrow? Also, Shweta’s husband Nikhil Nanda has an animation company amongst his other business interests.

Will Ash’s Windfall which she was coproducing will be made under the AB Corp banner? Also there reports about Shoojit Sarkar’s film, which was to be earlier made by Percept being made under the AB Corp banner? Also, is AB Corp planning to make television serials? What is the current status of the TV serial that you are going to be part of?
I am unaware of what Windfall is, and have no information on it wanting to do something with AB Corp. Shoojit Sarkar’s film is now with UTV and they are working out the details. At the moment, AB Corp is not making serials. But there are possibilities of us getting into TV shows in the future. And the TV serial I am doing is under discussion and consideration.

Today’s generation likes being on their own. Will Aishwarya and Abhishek move into the other bungalow (Ammu) or they want to be with you and Jayaji?
They want to be with us.

There are speculations in the media and in political circles that all his not well between the Bachchans and Amar Singh. Comment.
Things between Amar Singhji and us couldn’t be better. He is a member of my family. If you have not seen us together as often as you would like us to, that is your problem, not ours.

A lot of UPiites are upset that you are no longer the brand ambassador of the state. Will you accept it if Mayawati government offers the same to you? Were you upset when you learnt that Samajwadi failed to form the government in Uttar Pradesh?
Oh..!! This a new one. I thought they were rather happy that I was no longer one. But since you express it, I have no reason to disbelieve you and yes, I would happily do whatever is asked of me, to promote Uttar Pradesh. The campaign that I did earlier on, still holds good. I still believe, as I said in the adverts, that, compared to other states, crime in UP is lesser. I think it is number 26 or 27 in the rankings. Just three days ago in the Times of India, they carried an extensive report that Delhi was no.1 and Mumbai no.2 in crime ratings. So UP is much better off. Which is what the crux of my campaigns were.