John speaks on 'Lakeer' 

By IndiaFM News Bureau, January 20, 2004 - 07:22 IST

Lakeer is the first film where we would actually see you dancing. So how does it feel?
Yes, this is the first time that I will be seen dancing onscreen. You might have seen it in the promos of Lakeer in the song Nachley. It's interesting. Prior to this in Jism, Saaya and even in Aetbaar and Paap I have never danced. This is the first time I am actually getting down to dancing. It's fun!

Also it's the first time that you are doing a film outside the Bhatt camp. So audience do have expectations that John would be seen without the Bhatts?
Perhaps not that consciously. But the fact that I am dancing for the first time would be noticed. And the audience reaction that we have received is also very refreshing. I am very excited about it.

When you were offered this film, what was your reason for choosing this film? Was the project so interesting or the role so compelling that made you do this film?
When Ahmed Khan offered Lakeer to me, firstly I liked the script very much. Then I heard A.R.Rahman's music and I loved the songs. And the role I had was very exciting. For the first time I will be playing a typical, quintessential, commercial hero on screen. So I thought why not. And my final decision was justified for the way Ahmed has treated this movie which is absolutely fabulous. You will notice how Sunny saab, Anna (Suneil Shetty), Sohail bhai and Nauheed have performed is absolutely fabulous.

This is the first multi-starrer you are working in with established actors. So what kind of things have you learnt in the making?
I would like to tell here that, before I took up this multistarrer I had heard that actors and actresses are very insecure. But my experience here has been very positive. I remember it was the last day of our shoot and the sun was setting. I had to do my shot quickly with Sohail Khan standing in front of me and he requested the director to let me shoot the shot again. So the level of co-operation was too good. I did not had many scenes with Sunny saab but whatever work I did with him all I would say is that he's a perfect gentlemen. Anna is like my big brother in real life too. The chemistry you would see on screen is absolutely the same in real life. So it's been an absolutely wonderful experience in this movie. Whatever may be the outcome I am confident that this movie first of all will do well and secondly the experience has been completely positive.

What about you contemporaries, Nauheed and Sohail?
It was fun. I am half Irani and Nauheed is full Irani. So we were both little crack. Sohail bhai is again a lot of fun. He is exceptionally polite and very nice on the sets.

What's the upside in Rahman's music over here?
Every song is very interesting and very different. This is the first time that A.R.Rahman is working with Daler Mehndi in the song Nachley picturized on Suneil Shetty and me. Sadiyan is my favorite song in the movie picturized on Sohail, Nauheed and myself. Paigaam, which is my slow number, is absolutely romantic and beautiful. At the end of the day A.R.Rahman is not A.R.Rahman for nothing.

2003 had been a very productive year for you. So what expectations do you have from 2004, especially Lakeer?
Very honestly I don't keep any expectations from myself. In terms of movie as a whole, I think it's a brilliant movie and audiences will love it. Aetbaar is also very exciting. Paap is a different movie. So I always try to do my work honestly that's all. Just work honestly and walk by your side. Don't interfere with anybody. Do your work and make the audiences happy.

Ahmed Khan speaks on 'Lakeer'