I am enjoying this phase

Your new haircut is surely the talk of the town. What was your daughter Masaba’s reaction?

I have chopped my hair after a long time. Last year my schedule was quite hectic and that affected my health as well as my hair. My hair density was going down, so the parlour person suggested I go for short hair. Masaba was initially shocked, but then she loved my new look.

How do you manage to take care of your skin so well?

I don’t really do anything special. I don’t apply anything special. Chemicals don’t suit me. I believe anything that we apply on our skin should be edible as well. And it will be good for our skin. Take coconut and mustard for example.

When can we see you and your daughter together on screen?

Very soon! Masaba and I are also coming up with a web series on Netflix titled, Masaba Masaba, directed by Sonam Nair. It is based on Masaba’s life. Working with her in front of the camera gives me so much happiness. This is a bit of fiction based on reality. I am sure youngsters will love it.

Professionally, it seems you are in the best phase of your life. What do you have to say about it?

I am enjoying this phase a lot; getting good roles, earning money and garnering good reviews. So I am happy. Badhai Ho was the turning point and the film has done well. This year also I have a great line up.

What prompted you to take up Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan?

The way the story has been written is brilliant. All the characters are so nicely weaved. You should see the film to understand what I am trying to say. Also, I am reuniting with Badhai Ho team — Ayushmann Khurrana and Gajraj Rao — who are great actors to work with.

What is your take on same-sex relationships?

I am very forward-looking in all these things. We get signals from our brain — whether you like a man or a woman. It happens because your brain guides you. The brain gets a spark when you like someone. This film will be a great one for all gay couples. But it will take centuries to break the barrier!

The film has been made with a touch of comedy. Does it dilute the topic?

I feel it is a good thing to do. With comedy we have told the story. During the shooting also it was a smooth ride and I am sure the audience will love it.

How have your parents influenced you?

I have got all the good things from my parents. My mother was a double MA and when I was in her womb, she was doing her graduation in Sanskrit. She was a disciplinarian and idealistic person, while my father was practical.

How will you sum up your career?

There was a time in my career when I was not doing much. Surprisingly, that phase happened after working with directors like Shyam Benegal and Subhash Ghai because that was a time when art films were not being made. But then television shows happened to me and I have worked in over 100 of them. I am happy that now I am working with people like Aanand L Rai, Nikhil Advani and Luv Ranjan. My next is a film with Arjun Kapoor, Rakul Preet Singh, Kanwaljeet Singh, Divya Seth and Soni Razdan, who are all my good friends.

Are you happy with the money actresses make today?

I am happy because it is increasing gradually. But I am not jumping anywhere because I am not Akshay Kumar and I can’t sell a film on my name!

There has been a bit of controversy when you mentioned that a director should cast old actors in a film like Saand Ki Aankh; what do you feel now?

Now I feel I should not have put that in social media. I could have only said in my mind. It was blown out of proportion. Now I want to say sorry.

What is your definition of happiness?

It is simple — Masaba should have a happy face, my work should give me creative satisfaction and I should get to eat good food.