It’s heard that you wanted ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ to be Aishwarya’s first release after her marriage to Abhishek? Were you in a position to make and obtain a fulfillment of that request?
I have never entertained such desires, never did, nor ever will. My job is that of an actor, not an administrator.

In ‘Bhoothnath’, you play a ghost, and in Sujoy Ghosh’s ‘Alladin’, you play a genie, both creatures of imagination and fantasy. How did you keep them different?
They have both been scripted differently, so my job was simplified greatly. Also, both directors wanted them to be played in a particular manner, which is what I have tried to do.

Do you sometimes wish for a genie to fix things quick in real life? (Maybe answer extremely long interviews)
Yes! All the time.

Apparently, you’ve been rejecting a lot of television offers. Is it true that you turned down an offer of a show because the time it was to be aired clashed with the time of a Shah Rukh Khan show?
I am unaware of any such occurrence. Yes, during the talks with a particular channel, this issue did come up and I did suggest that it would not be prudent to initiate an activity, which would in any way hamper or clash with those of a colleague. Ours is a small but very committed fraternity. We are bonded strongly with great magnanimity and respect. It would be unwise to indulge in any process that would be harmful to our unique standing.

Ram Gopal Varma claims that ‘Sarkaar Raj’ is Aishwarya’s best performance till date. What do you feel, also having worked with her in a number of films in the past as a co-actor?
Aishwarya’s performance in ‘Sarkaar Raj’ is most dignified and strong and mature. The role demanded it and she has executed it with great competence. Most of her films have done the obvious with her – capitalized on her natural assets. ‘Sarkaar Raj’ does not pay attention to it. And I think that is what comes out strongly in the film. I think Ramu wanted her to be devoid of any make up and it works well.

There are reports that you were not pleased with the climax scenes of Sarkar Raj, you might aver that these stories are not true, how then do these allegations arise considering there is no smoke without fire?
Allegations, or should I say purported allegations, arise, because they contain content which titillates the reading sensibilities of the reader or buyer. It could work both ways. Media gets a story and the issue generates inquisitiveness, which on most occasions helps to generate talk about the film. True there is no smoke without fire. But how wonderfully artful to create the smoke before the fire!!

It is heard that there were many scenes between the Shah Rukh Khan and you in ‘Bhoothnath’, but apparently Shah Rukh didn’t want to do them and expressed a desire that they not be executed. And so the scenes between you’ll was restricted to the climax. Then why do the film together at all?
Your information on the story, its content and its execution, are a subject of abject mirth and so too the rest of your insinuations.