Abhishek hasn’t had a dream run at the BO. How differently will Sarkar Raaj portray Abhishek?

I’m like the fearless Nadia: Ramu

Do you fear anything?
I’m like the Fearless Nadia. I never take anything seriously. On second thoughts, I’d say I fear being put on a pedestal. If Mani Ratnam makes a flop, Revathy politely says where Mani Sir went wrong. But when my films flop, Revathy simply sends me a message saying: “A kick on your b***”.

We hear that you and Mani Ratnam share a great friendship…
Yes, we share a lot, including a glass of beer. It’s just that we don’t like each other’s films. If someone calls me Ramuji or Ramu Sir, I’ll run to the basins of the Congo. I’m happy being called by my nickname, Ramu After having made Aag,
people won’t place me on a pedestal for the next 10 years. Thereafter, I’ll remake Aag and that will ensure that they don’t address me as Sir for another couple of years either (laughs).

After Aag, do you think you will get financers to produce a remake of Aag?
I’m one super crazy film-maker. I’m sure India has at least another super crazy financer to pump in money.

Will Big B agree to feature in your remake of Aag?
Michael Caine has said that one should remake flops. Remaking Aag can be seen from two perspectives. One is like the spider who perseveres to spin a web. From another perspective, it’s like trying to straighten a dog’s tail. While making Aag, I had a certain vision in the beginning. Then things got tweaked around because of legal hassles. It’s always a problem to change a script during the making of a film. Then, there was an arrogance of trying to get into the one-upmanship business. I wanted to give a shot-by-shot and scene-by-scene interpretation. Mr Bachchan will beat me up if I suggest this remake.

Did you lose your objectivity because of the views of sycophants around you?
The reasons for a failure or a hit can be the same. Film-making depends on a series of decisions taken over a long period of time. Now if the primary decisions are wrong, everything that follows don’t go right either. Sometimes, people around us don’t question our actions. That’s not because they want the film to flop. They are either too scared or psyched to believe that I can do any wrong.

Was there any truth to the rumours of Ramu plunging into depression after Aag’s failure?
No. In fact, I was expecting such reactions. Aag isn’t the first flop in my career. Within 10 days of the release of Aag, I was busy shooting Contract. Since Aag didn’t entertain, I let people have their share of fun by ridiculing me. I began my career with a salary of Rs 800. The fact that I’m in Mumbai today and am capable of doing whatever I wish to make is good enough for me. I never get carried away by awards or criticisms. Aag has been an incredible learning experience for me.

Has Aag taught you to live a day without being arrogant or politically incorrect?
Those who say that I wasn’t careful about Aag, should know that Satya was my most carelessly made film. I didn’t even have a script for Satya! I was more than careful while making Aag. There is a very thin line between arrogance and confidence. I don’t think I can live without my arrogance. Doing that would look false. The effect would be 100 times worse
than Aag.

Despite Guru’s success, Abhishek hasn’t had a dream run at the BO. How differently will Sarkar Raaj portray Abhishek?
Abhishek takes off from where his character had left in Sarkar. Abhishek is a more accomplished actor than Mr Bachchan. He has the intelligence to understand relations. Mr Bachchan has had opportunities to interact with various kinds of people when he joined the industry. But Abhishek was born as the son of a superstar. It’s commendable for him to have the sensitivity to understand characters.

Your impression of Ash has changed after making Sarkar Raaj. Is this change because you had earlier underestimated her acting abilities or the fact that you need to be politically correct about the Bachchan bahu ?
I had signed Ash before she got engaged. I had always felt that Ash’s beauty would come to the forefront and I’d have to use technical skill to make her fit for the raw and rustic atmosphere of the film. But she surprised me in the role of a businesswoman. She has excelled in a ‘reactive role’.

Has she moved out of her giggle mode?
She did not need to smile in this film. In any case, I don’t like women who laugh a lot.

You’ve called Ekta Kapoor sexy. Since you claim that no one calls you sexy, don’t you feel sad about it?
Nah! People have analysed me like zoologists and said that I am like an animal species. Since you don’t measure sex quotients of animal species, why should I feel sad?

Your Contract actor, Amruta, has said that she is scared to be your muse. What does it take to be Ramu’s muse?
I have no idea what a muse means. Since I am not a gay, people don’t link me with my male actors. But if there is a lady I work with for a few films, the compulsive obsession of journalists forces them to cook up link-up
stories.

To set records straight, would you wish to blog like other Bollywood actors?
I don’t have an e-mail account and only wanted to surf the Net to check out porn! (laughs) But I think I’ll start a blog for myself.

With IPL wooing Bollywood, why are you never seen on the field?
I used to play cricket in school till I hurt my knee. Cricket doesn’t interest me. When I get time, I want to go to the stadium to check out the cheerleaders!