DNA (May 20, 2014)

You have won by massive margin...
(Laughs) We’re getting ready for celebrations. I’ve been getting congratulatory calls and messages from colleagues and friends from the industry including Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Shabana Azmi... I’ve won by a much higher margin than the last time.

What do you have to say to your detractors?
I hold no grudges against them. I forgive them, as they know not what they do or have been doing. I’ve broken my own previous record. Isske aage kya kehna? The people who were spreading rumours of my impending defeat were being sponsored by vested interests. But I am very happy. I had promised the people of Patna and members of my own political party that not only we will win but also make a new record. We’ve created a new milestone.

No non-Congress party has been given such a thumping majority in decades?
That’s exactly what I want my opponents to know. I want them to see the writing on the wall. I had predicted we’d cross 300 seats during this Lok Sabha elections. Our brothers and friends from the minority communities should understand that India has voted against Railgate, Coalgate, 2G, 3G and jijaji (Rahul Gandhi’s brother-in-law, Robert Vadra).

Does jijaji have reason to be scared now?
Anybody and everybody who has taken the country for a ride and who has indulged in massive corruption in the garb of white-collar crime would have to be dealt with firmly.

The general perception is that you belong to LK Advani camp...
Let me state clearly, I belong to no camp. Even as an actor I never belonged to any camp. I was as devoted to the film industry as I am to the BJP. Having said this, I’d like to add that Advaniji has contributed the maximum to bring the BJP into power. He is a friend, philosopher, guide, mentor and guru not only to me but the entire BJP. He is the party’s godfather.

Do the Muslims have reason to fear the Modi government?
I am glad you asked me this. I hope good sense prevails upon some of our friends from the minorities. Come and join the mainstream. Those who were spreading ugly rumours about Narendra Modi have all bitten the dust. And someone just had to resign from Bihar after taking on Narendra Modiji.

You mean Nitish Kumar?
Samajhane wale ko ishaara kaafi hai. Let the courts decide what happened in Gujarat in 2002. We are not a Banana Republic. We can’t proclaim judgement on someone. Forget the politics of caste and community. That’s outdated. Development, progress, prosperity, peace are the keywords. I tell my friends from the minority community even in Pakistan... Dushmani jamm ke karo par itni gunjaayish rahe jab kabhi hum dost bann jayen to sharminda na hona pade. Never over-shoot the runaway. Don’t vote for us. But don’t judge us on the basis of your prejudices. Rootho zaroor, tooto mat.

Are you going to take over the I&B portfolio?
I won’t hesitate to take up any responsibility. Long back I was offered the I&B portfolio but I had declined.

Why?
Hamare industry ke colleagues mera jeena haraam kar denge. And why me? There’s Hema Mailini also. There are other portfolios for me. It’s the prerogative of the Prime Minister. If he thinks me fit for a cabinet responsibility, I’ll take it up and handle it to the best of my abilities.