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Jyothi Venkatesh
Ghajini was slated for a Diwali release. Why was its release postponed to December 25?

The original plan was to release Ghajini during Diwali but we could not release the film for the simple reason that I was bed ridden with my ligament injury. I had to take break for almost two months.

Do you regret not coming out with the film as a Diwali release?

If you remember, Taare Zameen Par was also released during Christmas last year. I hope Ghajini also does well at the box office like Taare Zameen Par did.

Is Ghajini the complete remake of the Tamil hit by the same name?
Yes. It is the remake of the Tamil hit Ghajini which was also directed by S R Murugadoss who has directed the Hindi remake. The Tamil original version starred Soorya in the lead with Asin, who has now played the lead in the Hindi remake as well.

Would you say this is your best role till date?

I won’t say this is my best role till date but it’s a role I feel very proud of. It is one of my career’s best.

How would you describe your role in Ghajini?

All that I can say at this point is that my role in Ghajini is a tough one. It was quite challenging for the actor in me, especially because the primary requirement of the role was to build my body to suit the character.

How did you go about preparing for your role?

I had to work a lot on building my body to suit my character. I had to work on getting my eight pack abs. It was quite tough because I was on training for almost two and a half hours every day. I did not mind because I have always believed in the adage that there is no gain if there is no pain.

After watching the teaser and trailer of Ghajini, one gathers that you are appearing shirtless in one of the scenes.

It was the requirement of the script that made me decide to drop my shirt. Salman Khan really loved it when I showed the film to him

So will there be many such scenes?
I’m flaunting one shirt less than Salman Khan and two shirts more than Shah Rukh Khan (Laughs)

What according to you is the USP of Ghajini?

I would say that the USP of Ghajini is that it is in the real sense my first ever action film. It has mind-boggling action sequences of International calibre and class, which you see very rarely in Hindi films

Can you elaborate?

It is after a very long period of time that I am coming up as an actor with a film which belongs to the genre of out and out mainstream cinema with entertainment as its mainstay.

Is there a message which Ghajini attempts to drive home?
Entertainment is the only message which Ghajini sets out to drive home. If at all, you want me to pinpoint any particular message all I’d say is that it strives to convey the message that violence is futile in society

In what way is the Hindi remake different from the Tamil original?

In keeping with the taste and temperament of the all India audience, we have made some changes. We have retained the essence of the original film, eschewing the naivete which the original version had.

Where was Ghajni shot?

Ghajni was shot mostly in Mumbai. We shot some of the action sequences in Namibia. The sequences have turned out to be breathtakingly awesome because we shot the entire film in sync sound. Since Lagaan, every film of mine has been shot in sync sound, keeping in mind the International technical style and finesse.

What next after Ghajni?

I am now working with Rajkumar Hirani in his new project Three Idiots in which I have been teamed opposite Kareena Kapoor for the first time in my career.

What is your role in Three Idiots?

I play the role of a guy called Rancho in Three Idiots. It was not tough to play the role because I really look like one. (Laughs)

In what way is it different from Chetan Bhagat’s novel by the same name?

The fact is that Three Idiots is not a frame to frame remake of the book. The script has been adapted from the book. Though it begins from where the the boo doesk, it takes its own course.

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