Rukmini Chopra (DNA; October 17, 2014)

Cautious, calculative and reserved, Shiney Ahuja didn’t seem particularly candid when we sat down to talk with him about his Bollywood comeback The actor, however, does open up about his upcoming film Welcome Back, future plans and his equation with Mahesh Bhatt. Read on...

How did you get Welcome Back?
A man from Anees Bazmee’s team contacted me and narrated the story. The way he did it was very good. I had not seen Welcome, and I didn’t tell him that because I didn’t think it was right to do so. But something struck me about the role. The character’s name is Honey. He appealed to me. Then I met Anees in his office and within half an hour, it was all sorted.

Were you apprehensive about returning to a film’s set after so long?
No, in fact I was looking forward to start working. There was a lot of excitement. Everyone was very warm to me. Anil Kapoor hugged me at the airport and said “Welcome Back.” Nana Patekar spoke to me like he has known me for years.

There were reports suggesting that Shruti Haasan wasn’t fine working with you...
I am cordial with her like I am with any other co-star. I have a huge amount of respect for her father as well as her mother, who I have worked with in a film called Kal - Yesterday And Tomorrow.

Tell us something about your character.
Honey has a clean heart and is extremely simple. He looks the opposite though. There is a guy like that in my building. I studied that guy for my role. He looks tough, but has a simple and sweet personality.

Reports suggest that you have approached many directors like the Bhatts and Mohit Suri, but they haven’t been keen on signing you…
Honestly, I don’t blame anyone for anything. Acting is my passion. But when I wasn’t in the mindset to do it, I declined a lot of offers which sent out signals that I’m not ready to work. That continued longer than I had wanted it to. When I wanted to resume work, I decided to approach Mahesh Bhatt. I didn’t get a negative response nor was I called in to his office instantly. Then I read the news in the papers, after a week or so. When I read it, to be honest, I felt really, really bad. But that’s all I could do. I’m sure he had a reason for what happened.