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'People know who I am post Slumdog'

Irrfan Khan as a style icon?

You betcha! The actor looked dapper as he made the cover of GQ magazine's May issue. 

Nithya Ramani caught up with the actor and quizzed him on life post Slumdog Millionaire, and his upcoming films.

Why did you agree to be on the cover of GQ?

I am an actor and like to be noticed. If it is through GQ, why not? I haven't been on magazine covers often because people aren't so sensible to choose me. I am thankful that GQ chose me for their cover.

Do you think people are approaching you for magazine covers because of the success of Slumdog?

Slumdog is only an ignition. Sometimes, it is purely based on Slumdog. People, who don't even know I exist, now know Irrfan.

'Life in a Metro changed my life'

How was the experience shooting for the cover?

It was a great experience. It was all done in a day. The crew travelled from Mumbai to Dholpur where I was shooting for my film, Paan Singh Tomar. They were perfect and everything was ready and done in a day. They made me look good, which by itself is a great thing. I am looking good because of Prabudha Dasgupta.

Paan Singh Tomar must have been very stressful as you have continuously been hurt during the film's shoot.

This is the first time that I am getting hurt in such unexpected ways. I might have got hurt about six or seven times. But the worst of them all was when I suffered a ligament tear in my ankle.

What's surprising is that I felt good about the injuries. I realised that my body could take the pain. I am not fragile. Every film has its own destiny. Maybe this film wants me to get hurt physically [laughs].

'Nudity is an issue with Indian women'

Tell us about your other film Choli Ke Peeche.

I play a wildlife photographer. The film is about a tribal woman in a village where women do not wear blouses. So when a mother is feeding her child, the photographer wants to capture the beautiful image. But when he publishes the pictures, it takes a different connotation. The film doesn't show nudity or obscenity.

Why did Nandana Sen walk out of the film? And why did you recommended South Indian actress Shriya?

Nudity is an issue with Indian women. It is very unfortunate that people are afraid of nudity as they think they will be stuck with that image. That is the tragedy of our society.

I don't know why Nandana walked out. But I happened to see a Tamil film called Veyyil -- produced by Shankar -- where Shirya looked very classy. She has a dusky complexion and it just so happened that while shooting for this film we wanted a tribal woman and I recommended her to Italo Soinelli. I feel she should come to Hindi films. I will definitely bring her here.

'I did Metro and Mumbai Meri Jaan only for the directors'

What's been your favourite role so far?

The ones in Warrior, Maqbool, Namesake, Dil Kabaddi, Krazzy 4 and Billu Barber.

What makes you sign up a film?

I look at my character. I check if my role is challenging and if it will surprise my audience. Then I look at the producer and the production house. Sometimes the director matters so much that I would do a role even if it is not all that great. Like Life... In A Metro and Mumbai Meri Jaan. I did those films only for the directors -- Anurag Basu and Nishikanth Kamat.

Since the multiplex-producers strike is still on, are you currently shooting for any film?

Yes, I am shooting for Paan Singh Tomar and will start shooting for Choli Ke Peeche.

'IPL is a waste of time'

How has life changed post Slumdog?

Life hasn't changed because of Slumdog. The film has only given me more exposure. There are other films like The Namesake, Mighty Heart and The Warrior. In fact Life... in a Metro actually changed my life.

The most happening event of the season is the Indian Premier League. But you find it boring. Why?

The game is a waste of time.

Having said that, there are some fantastic things happening in the IPL. I love Shane Warne's captaincy. He is the man on the field and never bogs down under pressure. I also like Adam Gilchrist, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virender Sehwag. Though I am disillusioned by cricket, I still love it. I also love tennis, swimming, and skydiving.