JIMMY SHERGILL"Aditya Chopra has always been my favourite director

Sabar

How many films have you signed?
I have signed four films, which includes Tanuja Chandra's Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar with Amisha Patel, a film for T-Series which will be directed by Priyadarshan, one for Venus and the fourth one is Bobby Bedi's, which will be directed by Trigmanshu.

How did Mohabbatein happen?
After Maachis, I signed two films, Jahan Tum Le Chalo and Dum Dum Diga Diga. Dum Dum Diga Diga got shelved and Jahan Tum Le Chalo did not get a proper release. I was getting offers, but they were roles that were similar to what I did in Maachis, I did not sign those films…Sadly, things didn't happen the way I expected them to happen…But I waited patiently for the right project. I used to be in Bombay for some time, meet producers and go away to Delhi to be with my family.

"It was good to be with family to rejuvenate and then come back and get on with the struggle. If you are not getting the kind of work you want to do…it can get…I won't say frustrating or anything, but at times you get dejected…so to breakaway from the routine I used to go to Delhi very often…and Mohabbatein offer came to me while I was in Delhi. A friend of mine called me up in Delhi and told me that Yashraj films were trying to get in touch with me. I thought to myself there goes my chance to work with Aditya Chopra. I rushed to Mumbai by the next flight, but their office had closed by then, I got to speak to them only the next morning. I was called immediately for the trials and after Adi screen-tested me with one of the scenes from the film I was informed that I was in the film. It took me some time to realize that I was doing a film with one of my favourite directors.

Must have been a dream come true?
Of course, Adi has always been my favourite director, but I never thought I would ever get a chance to work with him so early in my career. But there is a God and there is something called Destiny. If you really wish for something to happen from your heart, it happens. Probably my wishes; my feelings for Adi were so strong that God heard my wishes and put me in the right place at the right time.

Do you Uday and Jugal keep in touch?
Yes, we do. In fact, I do my working out at Uday's house. All of us got to know each other during the rehearsals. We used to spend the whole day together rehearsing songs, scenes and costumes. We even shared the same make-up room. Even during outdoors we used hang out together. It was Adi's idea that we hang out together. He wanted each of us to get comfortable with each other so that it becomes easy for all of us while shooting for the film.

Has Mohabbatein snatched your privacy away too?
Not really. I don't get mobbed or anything like that. But yes, people recognize me and there are times when people come up to me and congratulate me for my work and there are some who ask me for an autograph.

How did your family react?
Reactions have generally been good. But the funniest was from my father. He knows I am not a dancing kind of a guy. He was very anxious that I would have made a complete ass of myself in dancing. He was actually tense before he was leaving to see the film. After he saw Mohabbatein he said, "I was scared that you would look like a fool if you didn't dance well, but thank God, you didn't disappoint me.' I take that as a compliment.

How was it working with Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan?
During my school days I used to watch Amitabh Bachchan's films. In college, I started watching Shah Rukh's films. I started idolizing him after I worked with him. There is a lot of positive energy around him. Not only is he a good performer, he is a fabulous person as well. He is so helpful. Even if he is not in a scene but is watching you perform, he will come up to you and make suggestions and that is very encouraging. Also if there is tension on the sets, he will come in and say something and the whole tension gets diluted. He is too good. As far as Mr Bachchan is concerned, we had very few scenes with him, but he made all of us very comfortable.

Do you get attracted to co-stars? You had some really pretty girls working with you in Mohabbatein.
I was not attracted to anybody for the simple reason that I am seeing someone for the last three years. Besides, when I am working my mind is only on my work, I don't get distracted. I have set some goals for myself. I don't know whether I will be able to achieve them or not, but that does not mean I am going to neglect my work.

When do you intend to get married?
Marriage is certainly on the cards. I guess I will marry by early next year

Back