Did you?
No. I charged 69 instead; I thought I was being generous. I’m just kidding, don’t get excited.

Today, films are no longer commanding the kind of price they were getting a year back. How will this affect your films?
I will always protect the industry that has made me. I will bring down my price and make less movies if need be. One must always rise and fall with the economy. I fully understand the pressures that everyone is feeling right now. People just need to know that I’m still here to make them laugh if they need to.

For the first time, people started referring you as the King of Bollywood. What does that mean to you?
It means, ‘Dear God, I’m starting to seriously wobble on this pedestal people have put me on.’ It’s a compliment I thought I’d never hear but a scary one at that. As sweet as it is to hear, I still have a lot of proving to do. I have many more releases to go before any of this can be thought of as memorable.

When people talk of your success quotient, they always compare you with Shah Rukh Khan. There’s a debate on who’s the real box-office king. Why don’t they compare you with Salman Khan, Aamir Khan or Hrithik Roshan?
None of us are kings. I don’t mind saying it. We have our good times and we have our bad times, but we can’t go calling ourselves kings just because we’ve hit a lucky patch.

You recently made a statement that only Amitabh Bachchan is the real king. You also said that stars who’ve been in the industry for 17-18 years shouldn’t call themselves kings. One hears that Shah Rukh didn’t take too kindly to your remark because he thought you were referring to him…
I’m referring to anyone who demands respect from the audience rather than earning it. We can’t crown ourselves. We are not royalty. Kings are loved for a lifetime, and for doing more than just making movies. Mr. Bachchan has done so much for so many and even he doesn’t call himself king. That’s what’s so honourable about him. You don’t have to agree with me, but you don’t have to fight with me either.

Do you think actors who are good at comedy don’t really get their due?
Ask any actor and he’ll tell you that it’s a hell of a lot harder trying to make people laugh than it is to make them cry. Even as far as our awards are concerned, when we play a comedy role, why are we categorized separately from the Best Actor. Why can’t a comedian be the Best Actor of the year? Why can only a hero be appreciated as an award-winning actor?

When was the last time you felt insecure as an actor?
Just a few days back, when I was about to start the first day shooting of a new movie. I’m learning my character as well as the dance steps right now. Other than that, insecurity follows a man everywhere, but there’s nothing less attractive than a man that constantly needs praises from people just to get through a day. Be a man; if you feel insecure, turn to God; he’ll always guide you.

You’re also going to start work on Priyadarshan’s ‘De Dhana Dhan’ with Paresh Rawal and Suniel Shetty. Everyone feels it’s another version of ‘Hera Pheri’ with a different title.
That’s like saying every action movie looks like my ‘Khiladi’ films. It’s nothing like ‘Heri Pheri.’ I don’t even know the script fully yet.