Even before his acting debut in Malaal, actor Meezaan was duly noted for his perfect shredded body. The actor's good looks have often grabbed eye balls and made headlines. While vanity comes with the territory – with a whole lot of conversations happening about Bollywood’s obsession with fillers, botox and plastic surgeries – it can also become a hindrance towards one’s craft.

In an extremely candid conversation, Meezaan, who was last seen Yaariyaan 2, opens up on the dichotomy of vanity. He explains, “I would 100% agree that vanity is a huge part. But at the end of the day, the first priority is the performance. So, you got to perform well first, get that in order. Once you figure that out, then of course you should 100% try to look your best and do whatever you can to make that happen. I'm not against (it), but I don't support it either. I would never tell someone to not be who they are and completely change their face or get certain plastic surgeries done. Moreover, I can understand why people do it, because the requirement in the competition has become so high that one feels that in order to reach a certain acceptance level, one needs to do this. I think I've been gifted that I'm decent looking and I'm confident in myself as to how I look on screen, how I'll be able to portray the character. I just look at what I do and how good I can look. Of course to look good, I'm also dieting, I'm also working out. I'm shooting for 18 hours, but after that I have to go to the gym. I have to do my skin treatments and everything because my skin should look good. Of course I do all those things. I think the balance of both is what will make you a star. Because if you want to be a good actor, that's a different ball game. But if you want to be a star, then of course you'll do all these things. Your body also has to be good. You have to look good also. I'm here to be a star. I'm not interested in anything else. I think I have the ability and the potential to do so. So why not enhance that and achieve that.”

The idea of what it takes to be a star was implanted in Meezaan’s head by actor Hrithik Roshan, when he was visiting the sets of his film Bang Bang. “They shot for 16 hours and Hrithik was leaving. My dad (Javed Jaaferi) and I saw him. My dad asked him where he was going? He told us he is going to the gym. I looked at him and I said, ‘Now, aren't you tired?’ He put his hand on my shoulder and said, ‘It's easy being an actor, it's not easy being a star’. That's the learning process. There's everything that's involved in being a star. Your profession takes over your life. You have to be ready for that. The reason I'm an actor is because I want people to look at me. I want them to know or talk about me. If you want to be a star then don’t come down looking unkempt in your shorts and chappals. Always look your best when you get out of the house. That's the profession you're in,” he recalls.

During the conversation, Meezaan reveals having a discussion about the same with his father, actor Javed Jaaferi. “My father and I always have an argument about this. He comes from a different school of thoughts. But he's also right. He always says, ‘Don't think about all this, just think about your performance. Don't get so caught up and busy as to how I am looking. That's not what will make you a star’. And I agree with that. But of course, when you can also put in an effort there, then why not? Because when I go to a theatre, I want to see good looking people. I'm spending that money to see good looking stuff which I don't see in my everyday life. I want to see something larger than life. When a Hrithik Roshan comes on screen, he's performing well also and looking good as well. So that's very important,” Meezaan shares.

It’s a sunny day at actor Hrithik Roshan’s Juhu house overlooking the beach. We walk in to join a bunch of enthusiastic dancers who can hardly wait to meet their idol. “Main unke videos dekhte huye bada hua hoon. I can’t believe I’ve got this opportunity to meet him. I don’t know what I will say to him!” gushes Tarun Namdev, popular for his reels where he starts dancing in the middle of the road.

Eight such influencers are here on a personal invite from the actor, who walks in dot on time and delivers the perfect ice-breaker — “I am nervous because of you all!” — considering he’s unequivocally one of the top Bollywood dancers of the past two decades ever since bursting onto the scene with the iconic Ek Pal Ka Jeena (Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai, 2000).

Roshan, ever the mentor and idol, often encourages budding artistes via social media — leaving likes and comments and reposting their reels on his account. But he doesn’t think this is “going the extra mile”.

“I want to touch and feel this community of dance, to understand these dancers’ lives because they inspire me. If I want to still keep learning, I have to grow with them now. I have the opportunity and access to them. It is amazing because when I was young, dance was not considered a valuable asset. So, these people have come and changed that.”

What’s his takeaway from this meetup with these people? Roshan tells us, “I have information now — that it is possible for me to pick up my phone, call one of them, and say ‘Let’s do a class’. I am seriously thinking about learning dance again. I want to start to dance, just for myself.”

When I was a teen there were not many inspirations. It was either film stars, like Shammi Kapoor ji, I used to be crazy about Mr Amitabh Bachchan’s grace and Michael Jackson.

Dhoom Again and Bang Bang. In Bang Bang, actually, that step where I go back, I was not at my best. Everything matters - the shoes, the friction on the floor. I used to test which shoe I can get the right amount of friction with. I changed nine pairs of shoes, took all from my house, painted them black for the song, and used a different one for each step. Main khud woh step bhool gaya hoon!

The ballet in Jaane Kiske Khwaab, from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film Guzaarish (2010). It took me a month-and-a-half to learn.

MUMBAI MIRROR (August 22, 2017)

"Judwaa 1 making way for Judwaa 2,“ Salman Khan remarked on Monday while unveiling successor Varun Dhawan's caper. The latter, who had spent the day fielding questions about his film that sees him romancing Taapsee Pannu and Jacqueline Fernandez, responded, “You will always be the original Judwaa, bhai.“ The two actors are so in-sync, maybe they'll do a movie together soon. A Bade Miyan Chote Miyan 2, perhaps? Just a thought for David Dhawan to chew on.

Meanwhile, this particular make of Agent Provocateur cutout swimsuit seems to be quite a hit with the B-Townies. A peek at Taapsee Pannu in the recently released trailer of the Judwaa sequel took us back to Katrina Kaif emerging out of the sea in a similar number in Bang Bang three years ago. But it was Deepika Padukone, who'd created the first ripples with the risqué outfit, for a magazine cover in 2012. Keep `em coming, ladies.

He wasn't born a superhero. He became one. Hrithik Roshan had it all - great looks, godly bod and truckloads of talent. But he had shortcomings, too, enough to erode a man's confidence.He swiftly fought against all odds, overcoming his speech problem and today, he says, “It was the greatest thing that's happened to me.“ He plays a visually challenged man in his upcoming Kaabil, directed by Sanjay Gupta, and the actor is intrigued by how those who can't see anything can perfectly master the darkness. With all senses fired, in this candid chat, Hrithik talks about his fears, instincts, success and two lovely sons. Read on...

I believe that your interaction with the visually challenged people has changed your perception of them...
Well, the first thing an actor would do to play a character like this is to understand how one behaves in darkness. At the beginning, I was very sympathetic towards them and I would try to be extra nice. Gradually, I became completely normal in the way I interacted with them because they led their lives normally, irrespective of the fact that they can't see. I understood that there's absolutely no reason to pamper them, baby them or treat them differently. I think even they respect that attitude. Earlier, I would have projected my character as a needy guy or a bechara. After meeting them, I've enacted my part like an absolutely normal guy because that's how they actually are.

I heard that there was this one man who you were very inspired by....
Yes! He was the first visually challenged person who I interacted with and I was totally impressed. He came to my place in Juhu. I asked him how he travelled and he told me that he took a train and then an autorickshaw, which brought him from the station to my house. But what really blew my mind was that he came alone and without the help of a walking stick. We can't even fathom how some one can do this! The visually challenged are so well-trained that they can master the darkness.

Talking about fighting your fears, you had a big stammering problem that you overcame as a kid...
I think when you live with something like this as a child, it never becomes a memory of the past, but lives on in a very residual manner. For instance, if you were teased as a fat kid all through your growing years, even after losing all the weight, you will continue thinking in your head that you are fat. Likewise, stammering is something that's never left my mind. I still can't watch The King's Speech. I have tried watching it thrice, but I just can't, I have to stop it. But what I will say is that it was the greatest thing that's happened to me. That shortcoming taught me to value everything that I have in my life today, whether it is sensitivity, humility or ability of the human brain to overcome situations. To sum it up - it made me believe in magic. Now, I have infallible faith in myself because of the shortcoming that I have lived with.

While choosing your roles, how much do you rely on your instinct and gut?
There's no other way to do it. To tap into that source takes a lot of practice. Instinct also comes in layers and to get to the source of things, it takes years of searching. I will reveal a secret about myself. I know the result of every single thing that I create before it comes out. If at the time of some release I feel a little uneasy or anxious, it is a sure shot sign that something good is going to come out of it. It's not just at the time of the release, but also when I am shooting for the film. I feel anxious till the time I see that first copy and until I have done my best. Once that is over, it is an enjoyable journey to wait and see if the film hits the bullseye or not.

What happens when a film doesn't work and your instinct goes wrong?
As I said, I make peace with it when I see the first copy of my film. I have never been surprised with the fate of my film. It's all done in my head.

For a star, success goes beyond BO hits, right? It has a lot to do with your stardom, fan following et al...
In today's world, success for an actor means fame, money, hit films, super stardom, right? My idea of success is quite the contrary. It has nothing to do with the worldly definition of success as all that is a lie. I was told... “Work hard, earn money, get this, get that...“ and if you do these things, your parents will be happy and satisfied. Tell me...who in this world has done these things and said I have achieved the ultimate. It's a complete lie. Once you realise that, you will actually start searching for real happiness. I think I am successful to day because I am content with all that I have, with all my likes and my dislikes.

I believe that you dive so deep into your roles that you spend days and months understanding layers of your character...
An actor's job is to go into depths of the script and understand its potential. You can't sink 20 ft deep into a 5-ft pool, right? If the script has a character like Rajveer in Bang Bang, it's got the depth of 6-7 ft. If you have a character like Rohit in Koi... Mil Gaya, you have a depth of 55-60 ft, so that's when you have to go deep down and hit the bottom. So yes, you go as deep as you need to, so even if a film fails, you will work because you have gone all the way for it.

Are you too self-critical? There are some actors and filmmakers who don't like watching their work repeatedly onscreen after they are done with it. What about you?
I don't know how they do that, but it's quite strange in a way. I mean this is your job, your work, how else will you learn? I might not like seeing myself, but I have to do it. You must have the courage to face yourself and see how good or bad you are without being conscious about it.

On a lighter note, with your kind of good looks, how often do you look into the mirror?
(Laughs!) That's ridiculous, a little vain in a way. But honestly, as actors - our job is twofold. We have to look good and we have to act well. I think that primarily is the difference between an actor and a star. An actor will not care about how he is looking, he will want to be natural, organic and just fly in front of the camera. A star will always watch his own self. He will go one step beyond to perfect his outer image and at the same time, strive to deliver a good act.

Have you ever thought of directing?
Not really, but it has been discussed. When I was 21, my father told me that I could act or direct a film, as he thought that I have the mind of a director. I don't know what made him say that, I guess it was because I would give him suggestions while he was making films like Koyla and Karan Arjun. I don't think I want to direct, not so early. There are a lot of blanks that still need to be filled. There's no calling from within to direct a movie.

We've seen how you are trying to give your boys, Hrehaan and Hridhaan, a normal upbringing. You take them for movies and autorickshaw rides, too. It must be challenging...
It is difficult but I enjoy it a lot. One day, we were swimming at a hotel (close to home) and I asked them if they wanted to walk back via the beach. When we started walking, the beach wasn't crowded, but after a short distance, I suddenly realised that it was a Sunday and crowd had started gathering around me. We just had one bodyguard and there were three of us. Also, I don't want to bring up my kids in a way that they are afraid of the crowd. So, as we walked along, I kept talking to people and I kept telling my kids that this is the way fans show their love, and there is nothing to be scared of. In fact, I told my fans to join us on our walk back home. It even made my kids feel secure.

Do they watch your movies with you?
Yes, we watch films together all the time. I have to sit and answer all their questions as they are very curious. Their favourite film of mine is Bang Bang. They even liked Mohenjo Daro, Koi... Mil Gaya and Krrish. They don't like anything that's childish. I sometimes think that they are too grown-up for their age.

October 2nd is becoming an interesting date at the box office. Every year the box office is witnessing an unusual clash of movies on this date.

The past reveals, 2nd October has a strange history of box office clashes. 2014 saw Bang Bang and Haider clash and this year on the same date Talvar is clashing with Akshay Kumar's upcoming movie Singh Is Bliing. It is the team of Haider that is back this year with Talvar as the director of Haider, Vishal Bhardwaj is the producer of Talvar. While both Bang Bang and Haider did well at the box office last year, it's the latter that scored big with the audiences.

This time again history is going to repeat itself as Talvar is clashing with Akshay Kumar's next. 2nd October 2015, the audiences will again have to decide whether they want to watch another Haider in the form of Talvar or another Bang Bang in the form of Akshay Kumar's upcoming next.

A source from the industry confirms, “October 2nd is becoming an interesting date. In 2013 Besharam released on the same date and in 2014 Bang Bang and Haider clashed. Its interesting that the team of Haider has come back with Talvar. This time they are taking on another commercial potboiler, Singh is Bliing which is very much like Bang Bang“.