Winner of the Filmfare Best Actor Award on why he’s hopeful for the future and a sequel to Hindi Medium
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 23, 2018)

On Saturday, you bagged a Filmfare award for your performance in Hindi Medium, leaving behind a string of more commercial films. How does it feel from up there?
We knew the film would win acclaim but we had no idea it would go this far and it’s all happening because of its theme. I’m delighted we are reaching the masses too without changing our style of storytelling. That was the real challenge.

There is a strange compartmentalization at award functions. If someone is doing critically acclaimed work, he does not reach the mainstream audience. This win is an indication that times are changing and the audience is demanding more refined and relatable stories. There shouldn’t be a demarcation between critics and popular awards anymore.

Is a sequel in the works?
Yes, Dino (producer Dinesh Vijan) is working on an idea for a sequel to Hindi Medium and will announce it in few weeks if things work out.

Do small films scoring big make you optimistic?
This trend started a few years ago and is only getting stronger. All the popular actors are trying to find stories that are more relatable. The audience either wants popcorn entertainment or something that they can relate to while also getting entertained. The line is blurring. It’s a good time for the movies.

The underlying message of Hindi Medium was to stay true to ones roots rather than blindly follow the West. Do you believe in it as well?
I believe that one should not follow anything blindly. You have to explore things and form your own opinion. Nothing should be taken the way it’s told to you, you should experience things by yourself otherwise you are just on auto mode.

Any other memorable moments from your time at the awards?
I won my first Filmfare for Haasil. When I went up on stage to receive the award, my son who was very young came running behind me so I hoisted him up while accepting the award.

Your film Puzzle, premieres at the Sundance Film Festival today.
I have been up since 4 am as the time here in Salt Lake City, Utah, is exactly opposite to IST. I also have some press meets lined up besides the premiere.

Abhinay Deo’s Blackmail with Kirti Kulhari comes up in March. Excited?
We still have to shoot a promotional song for it. I never knew my collaboration with T-series would be so successful. This is my second film with them, and I’m really happy with the film.

There’s also Sapna Didi which re-unites you with Maqbool director Vishal Bhardwaj and Piku co-star, Deepika Padukone.
We have a collaborative style so it’s always great teaming up. I’m busy with a show at the moment, after which I get into Vishal saab’s film. I am yet to find time to start my homework but I will soon. Vishal saab and I made our mark in the industry at the same time with Maqbool, and have been working together on and off. I have a meaty role in this film; let’s see how it goes.

There’s also Karwaan with Dulquer Salmaan…
That’s in post-production right now. I’ll watch it once I return to India.