Were you apprehensive about being overshadowed by the ‘IT’ couple Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor in it?
When I was shooting for Company, I got a call from a person who introduced himself as Karan Johar. I thought someone was pulling a fast one on me. Finally, Karan managed to convince me that it was indeed him and said that Ram Gopal Varma had shown him some footage of my scenes and that he believed I had a great future. I was touched by his generosity. He had called an absolute newcomer and said such encouraging things. It boosted my confidence. Years later, we became good friends and I did Kaal with his banner. Karan remained a friend, always advising and encouraging me. Then when he called to say that he had a script for me I did wonder what I would do in a Kareena-Saif love story. He said, ‘Just read the script first and then let’s talk.’ When I read the script my first reaction was, ‘Why me? Any actor in this country would give his right arm to do this role.’ So he said, ‘But I don’t want any actor, I want a good actor. I believe in you. Work hard. Give it your 100 percent and make
