'I miss my Ghajini body'

Aamir Khan looks good with Kareena Kapoor; the new promos of 3 Idiots' song Zoobie Doobie prove that. And when the actors promoted the number at a press meet, they looked very comfortable with each other.

Aamir tells Patcy N what to expect from the song, and the Rajkumar Hirani film. Read on.

You have crossed 40. But you're still playing a college student.

When this film was offered to me, I had told Raju (Rajkumar Hirani) and Vinod (Vidhu Vinod Chopra, producer) that they were taking a dangerous decision; that I won't be able to play a college student. But Raju told me that the character Rancho was like me. We argued a lot on this. But I had liked the story. Plus, Raju and I wanted to work with each other.

Two days before the shoot started in Bangalore, I even called Raju and Vinod and told them that they could change their decision. But they didn't want to.

Raju told me that when I did Sarfarosh, nobody thought I could pull off the role of an ACP (Assistant Commissioner of Police), or that I could play a tapori in Rangeela. Nobody thought I could play a villager in Lagaan or have a physique like that in Ghajini. So he said that I had taken up these challenges in the past, and should take up another challenge. Plus, I had already worked on my body to look younger and leaner.

It's a challenge for an actor to do different kinds of characters like playing an 80 year old man or a woman. So I have taken up the challenge now and will wait for the audience reaction.

How do you manage to look younger day by day?

When I do a film, I get involved completely. I can't explain how I do it. When I was offered Ghajini, (director) Murgadoss told me that I should look. I wondered how I would achieve that kind of a body within a year. It was impossible. But when I started, something started happening in my head and I started getting transformed.

Do you miss your Ghajini body?

Yes I do. I had worked very hard for it. But I had to change for this role in 3 Idiots, so I had to lose all the muscle. When I get free, I will start exercising again.

This is the first time you are working with Kareena. What do you think of her as an actor?

She is wonderful. My experience of working with her has been outstanding. First of all, she is very beautiful to look at. So you don't get tired working the whole day with her. The day passes with ease.

Besides that, she has a lovely personality -- she is warm and friendly. She is a talented and spontaneous actress. I have liked her work all along and have been wanting to work with her.

You have worked with her sister Karisma as well. How would you compare them?

I met Kareena in 1993 when I was shooting for Andaz Apna Apna with Karisma. She was about 10 years old then.

Working with both Karisma and Kareena has been very good; both are extremely professional. But I think I am friendlier with Kareena.

You are promoting each song for 3 Idiots, unlike actors who promote the entire film. Are you feeling insecure?

No, I'm not. Every film has its own requirement. I take marketing very seriously because I believe that if we have put in all our effort to make a film, why not put in effort to promote it too? 

Ghajini had a different strategy because it was a different kind of a film. Likewise, Taare Zameen Par was different.

Zoobie Doobie has different looks. Did you have any inputs?

I did whatever the director said. Raju has conceived this song. I was doubtful whether it would work initially but Raju was very confident. He broke the scenes in his mind and has done a wonderful job in it.

The song has dance steps that reminds one of the steps actors like Shashi Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor would do earlier.

There is a line in the song, 'Jaise filmo main hota hai ho raha hai hoobahoo.' So Raju wanted us to go back to the cinema in the earlier days. We tried to imitate Shammi Kapoor's Oh Haseena Zulfon Wali (Teesri Manzil) dance, where he dances in a white tuxedo.

You have tried to imitate Boman Irani in the song too.

Boman is a wonderful actor and a great co-star. I had to copy him for a few seconds. I'm not a very good mimic but when Raju told me to act like Boman, I said I would try. I think I have done a good job.

Udit Narayan usually sings for you but nowadays Sonu Nigam has been singing for you. When will Udit sing for you again?

Soon, I hope. I'm really fond of him. He has always sung some great songs for me. Who sings for me is a decision directors take; I cannot be involved in that. But Sonu is a wonderful singer. Sonu and Shreya Ghosal have brought a lot of pep, zing and energy to the song.

Kareena is busy promoting 3 Idiots; when will she have time for Kurbaan, releasing November 20?

I feel right now, we should promote Kurbaan more because I'm looking forward to it. I wish Saif (Ali Khan) and Kareena all the best for that film. I want it to be a big success.