Meena Iyer (DNA; January 28, 2019)

Fabulous at 50? Is that how it feels?
It feels great. I really toil hard to look and be fit. So, I love all the appreciation that I’ve been getting for it. All I’m waiting for is some good work now. That’s the main reason you have to be fit in this industry, not because of anything else, but because it makes you think more positively. If you’re not, then all the negativity gets into your mind. I’m looking forward to an awesome year ahead.

Your neighbour and collegemate Ajay Devgn says he’s envious of your physique.
I remember, when we were in college, Ajay never worked out. His dad (Veeru Devgan), had built a gym for him. I used to go and meet him there. Just before his dad came, he would quickly spray water on himself to make it seem like he was sweating. He was naughty. I don’t know whether he is envious of my physique, but I think now even he’s fighting fit.

Just before Race 3 (2018) you got all motivated, didn’t you?
Yes, it was after I got a lot of pep talk from ‘Mamu’ (Salman Khan) that I really gave it my all. He has really influenced me a lot.

Salman observed that he has seen different phases in people’s careers. He often mentions how you (according to him) were a big star; even bigger than Akshay Kumar. 
I’ve spoken a lot about it in every interview. There have been times when I just didn’t feel motivated. I went into a shell. As I’ve said umpteen times before this, I’m the youngest in the family, so I have always been protected. Now, I’m standing up and trying to do things on my own. No one can help you. It’s only your attitude and hard work that takes you somewhere. So, Salman saw me going through that phase and he would always tell me the same thing that he told you. And I said, “Yeah Mamu. I know I didn’t realise it. I wasn’t competing with people and I was happy to be in my space and work.”

How come you two call each other Mamu?
We have been calling each other Mamu since a long time. I don’t know how it came up. Anyway, coming to the point, I told him that I didn’t know there was so much competition and everyone wanted to take away what you were doing because they wanted those kind of roles. Slowly, things started slipping out of my hands and it was a while before I actually realised that.

Then you start giving up and losing faith. But eventually I realised that I had to pick up the pieces of my career and just do the right thing. That’s what I started doing, before Poster Boys (2017). When that film came along, I was very excited about it, I was getting to do something so different. Besides working out, I was trying to prepare myself, for an interesting role and a great opportunity. The next thing I know, Salman offered me Race 3, and while doing that, I got Housefull 4. Good things started happening as people saw a change in my attitude. Everyone in the industry loves me, but work took its own time to come my way in the last few years. Whenever I meet people, I’m chilled out; neither do I have any issues with anyone, nor does anyone have any issues with me. So, it used to always confuse me why they don’t work with me. I guess, I had to show interest.

Given that you celebrated your momentous birthday just yesterday, do you look back at your career?
I do and think to myself as to why I gave up in life. Why wasn’t I prepared? Why wasn’t I ready for any kind of challenge in front of me? So, it makes me think, okay, I’ve been in the industry for 24 years, but I never took up any challenges in life till now. I used to work out even before I started my career, but not treating it like a challenge that I have to have the best physique.

You always knew you were good looking. Did you ever take that for granted?
I never thought that physique was an important part of being an actor. Till now, you’ve seen so many actors...

You have two of the best-looking and fit guys in your own home — ­Dharamji and Sunny. They are like role models for the whole world.
Eventually, when you realise it yourself, then you notice the role models around you. When you see their lives, you see that they, too, went through ups and downs in their careers, but they never gave up. My brother had four-five back surgeries, yet he fights it and works out.

Now, I’ve got more equipments in my gym (in the house itself). Today, I’m using the gym more than I ever have in my life. In fact, I finished my workout just half an hour before this interview.

So, this is the best place for me and I’m happy when I exercise. I enjoy my sessions and I feel guilty when I miss them or have a late night. That’s why there’s no way I will miss my workout.

I’m happy that I don’t have to lose anything, but only gain. That’s my attitude now. I’m looking at web series and meeting people, too. I’ve decided to call the directors I’ve met in my life and speak to them. I’ve done that in the past also, but maybe they didn’t take me so seriously then. I met Salman, Akshay, Sajid Nadiadwala and a lot of other people from the industry.

Eventually, something came out of it and they saw that I was hungry for work. And I guess, I look better at 50 then when I was 40 (laughs). Maybe I was not taking care of myself and getting carried away, leading the lifestyle of an actor, not looking into the serious aspects of it. I still have bad habits, but what to do? (Smiles)

You’re awesome as you are. We don’t want to make you Saint Bobby.
I’m not. I’m just saying (laughs). I wish I did... My kids wanted me to give up these habits. I’m blessed to have such a beautiful family. My older son, Aryaman, studies so hard. Recently, when I was going to Goa for a friend’s birthday, he didn’t want to come with me, because he wanted to study. I can’t get over that. Who wouldn’t want to go to Goa?

If one were to ask you to choose, do you have any special films? Are you partial to any movies of yours?
It’s not like that... Some films didn’t do well, but I was happy to be a part of them because of the environment I worked in and the people I met.

There are some movies I don’t think I should have done, but such projects are a part of every actor’s career. I still remember the first day of Soldier’s (1988) shoot. We were filming far away, it was about a two-hour drive from the hotel. It was hot, but the scene I did was so cool. I was walking out with one arm fractured, and suddenly I shoot a guy; it was such a cool moment.

I can also recall clearly the first shot that I gave for Barsaat (1995). The set was that of an old factory and I had to walk down the staircase. I will always cherish the memory because it was the first time I was facing the camera.

You were also seen in your father’s Dharam Veer (1977) as a child.
Yes, I did Dharam Veer also. But I was five years old then (smiles).

Talking about Soldier, one hears that producer Ramesh Taurani, who also co-produced Race 3, wants to make Soldier 2 with your son, Aryaman.
Ramesh ji keeps saying that. I told him to make Soldier Part 2 with me first and then make Part 3 with my son (laughs).

What do your dad and brother say to you now that you’re 50? 
Dad is so happy with the way I look now. He says, ‘Main toh thak gaya, lekin Salman ki baat tune maan li. Teri chaal hi badal gayi hai. Itna chauda ho gaya hai tu abhi! Achha lagta hai.’ He and my brother both are happy.  I guess, I’m still the baby of the house.