'I hope success of 3 Idiots helps Toh Baat Pakki'

Sharman Joshi made us laugh in 3 Idiots, and he plans to do the same in his latest release, Toh Baat Pakki, out this Friday. 

But the actor, who is so good in comedy roles, is really not comfortable doing such films. His forte, he feels, is serious films, and that's what he loves doing.

He reveals some more insights into his life in this interview with Patcy N.

What made you sign Toh Baat Pakki?

The script was very exciting. The story is simple, yet endearing. Plus, I was getting a chance to work with Tabu for the first time. And then, you're at peace when you have producers like Ramesh Taurani (backing the film). He is very passionate about his films. As an actor, you want your film to have a good producer, who will promote it well.

Director Kedar Shinde is a friend. We have done theatre together. He is a very focussed and hardworking. He's extremely talented.

You're playing an engineer once again in this film, after 3 Idiots.

The way I am getting to play engineers again and again, I'll be a qualified engineer by the time I finish my acting career (laughs)!

Toh Baat Pakki is a film inspired by films made by Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Basu Chatterjee. My character is a paying guest at Tabu's house. He is in the final year of an engineering college. Tabu wants her younger sister to get married to this character, and we get engaged. But later, she finds another boy, who already has a job. She feels this boy will be a better suitor and breaks the engagement with me. The film is about me wanting Tabu to honour the commitment she had made with me.

How was it working with Tabu?

After watching my film Rang De Basanti, she had gotten my number from somewhere and had called me up. She told me that she liked my work, and that she knew what an actor had to go through to give such a good performance.

She called me after Life... In A Metro as well, to compliment me.

To get such calls from such a fine actress naturally pumped up my chest! And because of these calls, we shared a natural comfort factor. I had not met her in person before (the shoot) but at least, she knew I could do an alright job.

When the shoot started, the cast and crew bonded very well on the sets. During our schedule in Ooty, we would spend a lot of time in each other's rooms, chatting.

I hope the success of 3 Idiots turns into a boon for Toh Baat Pakki. Once the audience watches Toh Baat Pakki, they will like the film.

You have earned rave reviews for your comedy roles, as well as your serious ones in Godmother and Life... In A Metro. What kind of films do you personally like?

Serious stuff comes to me very naturally. A comedy scene is more of a challenge. But on the whole, I like films, so I enjoy all the genres. Films can be exciting only if I try out different genres and different roles. I don't want to limit myself to a specific genre. But my decision to do a film depends on the scripts.

Why is comedy still a challenge for you? You've done so many of them.

I have done 14 films in all. Films like Style and Golmaal were out-and-out comedies, and did well at the box office. But I haven't done too many of them.

Rang De Basanti and 3 Idiots had light moments in them but they were not comedies. In Raqeeb, I played a negative role. I had serious roles in Life... In A Metro and Sorry Bhai. So I have done a mix of films. I still need to hone my skills and get my comic timing right.

It seems Madhavan was upset with his role in 3 Idiots?

I don't think that's true; he didn't tell me that. His character was very good. He must have been kidding if he said I got a big role and he got a smaller one.

How did you celebrate the success of 3 Idiots?

We celebrated a lot after the film's release. We did an India tour called 'Thank You Trip' and met our fans. It was Aamir's idea. He felt that whenever a film releases, we never spend time with each other. So this tour was planned, and we went to seven cities. Since we knew this would be our last trip together, we had a lot of fun.

Have expectations from films grown after the success of 3 Idiots?

I put in an equal amount of work in all my films. I love all my films equally. But why certain films work and others don't is difficult to explain. When we were making 3 Idiots, we knew it would be a good film and that people would like it. But we didn't expect this kind of love. I can't predict the success of any film. What I can do it work hard and enjoy the process of filmmaking.

What are your forthcoming films?

There's Farukh Kabir's Allah Ke Banday, starring Naseeruddin Shah and Atul Kulkarni. It will be out in May. I have not signed any film after 3 Idiots. I am reading scripts. I have done 14 films in 10 years, so I have always been slow in signing films. I am in no hurry.