He surprised us with a villainous role in Ek Villain but Riteish is not forsaking his forte — comedy. Riteish is all set to tickle the funny bone again with Housefull 3 and claims that he will never leave comedy
Housefull 3 is your umpteenth comedy— was your flair for comedy natural or have you developed it?
The second part of your question is my answer. When I did my first film Tujhe Meri Kasam (2003), I remember Karan Johar calling me and telling me that my comic scenes were very strong and that I should look at exploring this genre. I had just known Karan on a ‘Hi’ and ‘bye’ basis but post this, we became great friends. Then I went ahead and did a couple of movies. Indra Kumar saw the similar potential and cast me in Masti (2004) and Ekta Kapoor cast me in Kya Kool Hain Hum (2005). Both these films were successful. Also, I like to observe people and I enjoyed mimicking them. Moreover, when you have such great talents around, each with a different sense of humour -- be it Sajid Khan, Boman (Irani), Paresh Rawal, Akshay Kumar or Govinda — you pick up the rhythm. I think I have become funnier because of the company that I have all these years — these people made me funny. There is humour in everything. You just have to be natural.
Do you feel comic actors are given their due credit?
If you see the Best Actor category, there is a category for ‘Best Actor in Comic Role,’ and one for ‘Best Actor in Negative Role’; but there is no category for ‘Best Actor in Romantic role or in a Drama.’ I have nothing against this. I like to do a drama, I have done Ek Villain. But no comic actor has ever been nominated even if they have played the lead. I thought Govinda was brilliant for so many years but sadly he was never nominated.
After Ek Villain, are you doing more non-comic roles?
Banjo is a musical drama; it’s not in a comic zone. But I don’t think I will ever leave comedy. I hope in the next few years I am able to convince people that I can do non-comedy roles equally well.
You were directed by Sajid Khan in the first two Housefull films. Did you miss him on Housefull 3?
Yes, of course! When I first started shooting I missed him terribly for the first couple of days. But with due credit to directors Sajid Farhad, from the third day onwards they were in their own zone and I thoroughly enjoyed working with them. They are great writers and they had written Housefull 2.
With your busy schedule how do you manage time for wife Genelia and son Riaan?I get them on the shoots. I am glad that Genelia and my son could come during the schedule. We use to go for swims, and he use to swim with Akshay and Abhishek. He was just six months old so he use to just play with water.