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I was the one who got him to work with Karan Johar. Then he shifted out with Nikhil Advani. He had assisted Nikhil on Kal Ho Naa Ho. That’s when he got friendly with Salman Khan. One day I heard that he didn’t want to become a director. A 140-kilo guy wanted to become an actor because Salman said he should become an actor. I was taken aback. I was like Salman issko barbad kar dega, isska career khatam karega. I thought Salman just wanted Arjun to lose weight so he was suggesting that he become an actor. If nothing else at least he will lose weight. But Arjun was convinced. What Salman saw in him, I don’t know. I know he’s fond of him. I am also fond of many people but I don’t go around saying anything to them. But Arjun took the challenge and did it. It’s unreal and amazing. I know how fond of food he is. But there is so much competition now. He has to be on his toes. You don’t have 30 films to fall back on. People who are established, unko farak nahin padta hai ek picture flop bhi ho jaaye toh. But for these young boys, every film is like a test. Coming back to you, do you miss acting? I do. I have enjoyed myself as an actor. And I’m still open to acting.

Are you enjoying your new role as a producer? I’m loving it. I’ve wanted to do it for a long time. I’ve been brought up in a film family. My father and my brothers have been making films. Anil (Kapoor) and I have acted in movies produced by Boney (Kapoor). Boney would never be on the sets so we (Anil and I), the so-called producers would keep an eye on everyone ki sab kaam kar rahe hai ki nahin. I have come in at a time when things have become professional. The stress is there, you will have that bad day. But that’s part of filmmaking. It’s never a beautiful and smooth ride but the journey is awesome.

I wanted to become a producer before Sirf Tum had released. That was way back in 1998. I thought I should get into production because I’m more practical, commercial and educated than both Boney and Anil. (Laughs) I’m a B.Com graduate. They have graduated in arts. I always knew I’d be a good producer. Plus, I’m a people’s person. I’m great at managing things. But when Sirf Tum became a hit, I put my plans on hold. Do you feel bitter that you never got your due as an actor? I don’t feel bitter. But I definitely believe I deserved more. I’ve done good films. When Raja became a blockbuster, people said it worked because of Madhuri Dixit. But she’d worked in Rajkumar and Yaarana with two big stars like Rishi Kapoor and Anil Kapoor at the same time. And those films didn’t work. If I weren’t good in Raja, the movie wouldn’t have run. No actor alone can make a picture run. That’s the reason every actor has hits and flops. The same actor who gives a 200-crore film one Friday may not be able to give a hit on another day. I thought chalo is baar credit nahi mila, mil jayega. Then Sirf Tum became a hit.

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