A kshay Kumar is walking the tightrope — he has one foot firmly placed in mainstream cinema and the other strategically placed in experimental fare. Is he confident of pulling it off?
Of late, you have been doing different films. Is it a deliberate move?
I try deliberately to get into both spaces – the so-called the masala film and those which are in the real zone. I balance myself, I challenge myself. Masala films are my comfort zone, so I challenge myself by getting into the other zone.
How is it different working in both these kinds of films?
I have just finished Houseful 3, which is an easygoing film where Ritesh (Deshmukh), Abhishek (Bachchan) and I are joking and bringing the laughter onscreen. But you don’t do it in a film like Airlift; you have to keep in mind that the incident is real and have to follow a screenplay. It’s fun to do both kinds of cinema. Houseful 3 was a big change for me and it was essential because I had just done Baby (2015), Gabbar (2015), Airlift and Brothers (2015) — these films took away half my life.
Were you disappointed by the reaction to Brothers (2015)?
I gave my best in Brothers, I worked day and night, took so much beating ...but it didn’t do well. But I can tell you that somewhere it will pay off.
I feel bad about it but it does not
upset me. It does not mean I will stop trying. I have to keep working and
do more things. I am taking more risks.
Earlier, Baby grossed `90 core but couldn’t cross the `100 crore landmark. Do you expect Airlift to cross that mark?
It is a hit film. I am not going to give up just because the number comes only till `90 core. I must add that the business of these films is improving day by day. I would like people to come and watch Airlift because I want this story to be mentioned in our history text books... these people were real heroes! Hats off to those Air India commercial pilots who went inside the war zone and got people out, they didn’t have to do so but they felt it was their duty. The character I am playing had the chance to escape, but didn’t. His wife said ‘Let’s go’ but he decided to stay. I want to bring this story to the people.
Does your remuneration change according to the films you do?
I produce all my films so I don’t pay myself; whatever comes in is my remuneration.
Does your son Aarav have a favourite film of yours?
He appreciates all my films. He watches me every day...for my children, a father is a father.
Will you be comfortable doing a film driven by the heroine’s character?
If needed, I will take a step down. I did Aitraaz which belonged to Kareena and Priyanka. A film has to be a hit; it doesn’t matter whether I come ahead or not. I don’t care for the length of my role as long as I know it will be appreciated. I remembered that there’s a woman-centric script that I want to produce.