Had Randeep Hooda been the Julia Roberts of Notting Hill, he'd been delighted to have Hugh Grant interview him for the Horses & Hound. His face beams with happiness and heart swells with pride when he's at a SoBo racecourse, way past sunset, spending some peaceful time with his gorgeous horses. It's meditation time not only for him but also the ones privy to the sight of watching him train the majestic species.With much hesitation, we whisk him away from his favourite activity for a while to chat about his upcoming reel-life love story - Do Lafzon Ki Kahani and much more.

With three back-to-back releases, 2016 is turning out to be extremely busy for you.
Yes, it's turning out be as busy as 2015, but in a less joyous way. My favourite part of doing a film is the preparation, rehearsal and exploration that go into studying a character. That gives me immense joy. For me, that's the only artistic part of the filmmaking process, and the rest is execution and promotion. I have been promoting three films in a row this year, and I try to do as much as I can, but sometimes it is a bit too much.

And it's non-stop. For some one like you, who prefers to take frequent breaks from films to pursue other things, this must be quite demanding.
It is demanding. I do feel a bit empty to tell you the truth but it's okay because I have worked really hard on all these films. Bulking up for Do Lafzon Ki Kahani was probably harder than losing weight later for Sarbjit in many ways. Playing around with your body by gaining and losing 30 kilos in the same year is no cakewalk. (I shot Do Lafzon Ki Kahani before Sarbjit so I gained weight and then had to lose it). It's not easy for a male actor, especially a Jatt. Attaining a rippling physique with internal strength and then letting it go for Sarbjit was a tough decision. But the problem is I first decide upon what I am going to do and then I am hit by the repercussions. “Oh s***, this is required for this role!“ (Laughs) But by that time it's too late. I trick myself into commitment.

But more work is always better than not having as much on your plate, right?
Yes, of course. In the first phase of my career which didn't go well, I did lesser work. But over a period of time, I've realised that I like my work and should do more of it. The films that come to me are also getting interesting.

How would you describe Do Lafzon Ki Kahani?
It is a heartfelt story about two lonely souls who fall in love. A former fighter meets a girl, who's full of life, despite being visually impaired. It changes his life. If I was not a MMA fighter and she (Kajal Aggarwal) wasn't visually impaired, this film wouldn't have acquired that larger-than-life feeling which is important for cinema. This is one of my most commercial ventures. It has great love songs, story, action and a beautiful actress.

Is your character brooding in this one as well? When we think of Randeep Hooda, it's always this 'sexy brooding guy'.
This is one of the most brooding characters of mine (laughs). He is shy and hesitant to speak as he is unsure about himself. That's the best part about this role.

Is that the reason we don't see you doing light-hearted love stories too often?
Brooding for me means that I am thoughtful and involved. You might not classify Sarbjit as a love story, but there was a love track between him and his wife Sukhpreet. There were letters and romantic songs. One of my most romantic roles was in Jannat 2. I get drunk and make a call from a public phone to hear my wife's voicemail after she has passed away. That's pretty romantic.

But well, that's romance with a shade of tragedy.
Conflict completes the story. People getting married, having great children, living happily ever after won't make for a great story.

When will we see you in a romcom?
I've experimented with a lot of genres, and I will get there as well. I am not looking for a comedy script. When the time is right, I will get it. I am not dying to show my versatility. I tried doing that in the first innings of my career and it didn't work.

Your film's tag line says 'Love never hurts... Love heals'. Does it?
It does heal after it has hurt you. This story is a fantasy. Every young man wants to be a fighter and protect his woman. Likewise, every woman wants a man who lays down his life for her. These elements are a part of this movie. In today's world of instant messaging and break-ups on social media, this film will make you appreciate love more.

Has technology made us a tad cynical about love? Taken the charm out of it?
Nowadays, communication is so fast. You don't have to wait for somebody. The beauty of waiting adds to the mystery of love. Things are so instant these days, that's where the problem arises.

Have you broken up with someone over a text message?
No, I have never done those stupid things; will never do in future as well. But these are the times that we live in.

What were your fantasies about love while growing up?
It was quite similar to what I just spoke about love in the film. I was very idealistic about love and I still am. The concept of 'ever-after' is possible, but the fact is that you were born alone and you will die alone. You will have better love stories if your love story with yourself is sorted. You have to love yourself a little more for other people to love you more.

Falling in love or staying in love.What's more difficult?
Staying in love is more difficult. Falling in love is easy. I fall in love all the time.

Our concept of love changes with time. Doesn't it?
Of course, our idea of love is ever evolving. My romance with my work today has taken precedence over everything else.

Your passion for horses, work and women? How would you rank these?
They all have to go hand in hand. There's an old equestrian saying among riders, 'When I die make my skin into a saddle and gift it to a beautiful woman, so that I am in between two of my favourite things in life even after death.' (laughs)

Is marriage important or is companionship enough?
Companionship is the basis of marriage. It is indispensable. I have not gotten close to marriage yet, so right now marriage can go take a hike. If I get married, that could be my priority.

What is it that the woman in your life must know about you to be with you?
That I am married to my work as it gives me immense joy. I also love doing different things, and if she doesn't understand that it will be miserable for her to be with me.

And many believe you are moody as well.
I am gaining and losing 30 kilos in one year, you think I won't be moody? I am either eating too much or eating too less. These things will affect you. Besides, everybody is moody, some express it, and some don't. I think it's okay to be honest. You have to be considerate of others but everybody goes through this.

Has your knack of internalising your characters, taken you away from people? Has that made you a loner, who enjoys his space?
Yes, because you do start having ummm...

Conversations with yourself?
You are making me sound crazy (laughs!) Yes, like self-conversations. Following a career in sports and films is quite time consuming. People are not interested in knowing how you get there. They are interested in results, so I have found a way that works for me. A woman in my life will have to understand that I need this space. She needs to be more nurturing because I am quite fragile though I might look tough on the exterior.

You met Sushmita Sen recently at an event. Can one continue to be friends with their exes?
You cannot be friends, who spend all the time together, but yes, you can be friends. You have spent so much time with this person, and built so many memories, so why lock yourself out of it? If it didn't work out, it didn't work out. It doesn't mean that you will lose human contact with your ex. Humanity is something you cannot forget.

There are two things we learn about Deepak Tijori when we meet him for this interview - first, he is extremely religious and second, his day starts at 2 pm. The actor, who has been part of some memorable movies in the '90s, spends a good five minutes praying before he sits down to speak about his film, Do Lafzon Ki Kahani, which releases this Friday. “I believe in God and pray everyday. I'm also very spiritual. I love how peaceful it is at night and find it easier to work then,“ he says. In a chat with BT, he opens up about his sabbatical, penchant for love stories and why he doesn't party with his B-Town friends often these days. Excerpts:

You've made Do Lafzon Ki Kahani after a gap of seven years.
Yes, after Fox, I was almost on an exile. I spent my time watching movies and catching up with the trends in the industry. I've tried out different genres, both as an actor and a director. So, after experimenting with thrillers and comedies, I thought it was time I made a love story. Writer Girish Dhamija had narrated an outline to me long back and I had loved the concept. Incidentally, I met producer Avinaash Rai in my gym, and we got talking about the story. He was planning to start a production company and that's how the whole thing fell into place. We started working on the movie in 2014, but it was only last year that we were able to sign the actors and finally go for a schedule. It's tough to make a breakthrough with actors if you haven't had a hit. And I don't blame them. I found my hero in Randeep Hooda; he belongs to the actor breed besides being a star. Luckily for us, he was also looking to do a love story and this one was right up his alley. As for Kajal Aggarwal, she is a star in the South and has a lot of potential. We were looking at a fresh, unique combination because I think that's what helps love stories create magic.

While Randeep plays a former MMA fighter, Kajal essays the role of a visually-impaired girl. So, what were the challenges that you faced?
The biggest challenge was for Randeep to physically transform himself. He worked for four months and practised hard to get into the skin of the character. We hired a coach, who represented India at the Asian Games, to train Randeep. Though Kajal plays a visually-challenged person, her character is not morbid about life. She neither wants sympathy nor is a helpless girl who needs a man to support her. She attended a workshop to understand the lifestyle of such people. Though the characters might come across as grim, there are no soppy scenes.

Are there any typical 'love story' clichés in the film?
The only thing that's clichéd is that it is a love story (laughs). You really can't do much with the situations in a romantic film - the girl and the boy meet, fall in love, part ways and meet again. However, Do Lafzon Ki Kahani has some moments that are unusual and help the story flow. Interestingly, though there are six songs, this is one love story in which not a single track has been sung either by the hero or heroine. It was a big challenge for us to have soulful numbers and yet, not have the actors lip-sync to them.

The song, Kuch Toh Hai, had leaked online. Did that affect your promotional plans?
Yes, we had included a few lines of it in the trailer to give viewers a feel of the film. Amaal Mallik and I then completed the track, but we were shocked to find it online within a few days. While the traffic had increased for the full version of the song, we had to deal with comments like 'We have heard this, now where's the video?'

In an earlier interview, you had said that you were deeply influenced by Mahesh Bhatt while shooting this film.
Bhatt sahab once told me, “It's never about how you shoot, it's what you shoot.“ So, when I started directing I was so relieved that I didn't have to worry about technical angles and cuts. If you have two people just talking but have good content, you can put your camera anywhere and it will come out well. When we were shooting the emotional scenes, I could feel his presence around me. After seeing the trailer, he hugged and kissed me. It was a big compliment for me.

You stopped acting when the going was still good for you. Any regrets?
None, at all. At that time, cinema was not what it is now; it was stuck in a time warp. There were still the typical villains and comedians who had to bail the situation. Ghulam and Vaastav happened out of the blue. I always wanted to direct and thought this was the right time to take the plunge. I knew it would take me a few years before I could say I was a director. I never assisted anyone and whatever I learnt was by observing Bhatt sahab on the set. So, when I took to direction, I kept going despite the hits and flops that came my way. I'm still learning and growing. But now, cinema has changed. We can think of Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Irrfan, Vinay Pathak or Boman Irani as lead actors. We are not formula-driven anymore; an actor doesn't need to have eight packs or be a star to be a hero. This is a beautiful time for actors and directors.

What do you do when you are not making movies?
I watch films and surf the net.

We also don't see you attending fraternity parties...
I don't drink or smoke and I'm a vegetarian. I remember a funny incident. While we were working on Department, Ram Gopal Varma had called me home for a chat and asked me what I would like to drink. When I said nimbu paani, he looked at me in a funny way and said he doesn't trust people who don't drink! There was a time when Raveena Tandon, Shah Rukh Khan and I would party together. They knew my habits and were fine with it. But when you become part of a new circle, you are not sure if they understand your habits. So, there's no point making others uncomfortable.

Randeep Hooda has always strived to push the envelope with his diverse roles. Now, the actor, who plays a MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighter in the upcoming Deepak Tijori directorial, Do Lafzon Ki Kahani, has also choreographed some of the stunts himself.

Randeep, who had lost weight for his last release, spent two hours daily with his trainer Mansoor Sayed to build muscle for the romantic saga, which also features Kajal Aggarwal. He also devoted two hours every day to train with Irfan Khan, one of the best MMA fighters, who supervised his action sequences.

The makers acquired permissions to shoot in Muay Thai clubs, where contestants take on each other in this combat sport that is popular in Thailand. The actor recalls, “The training was rigorous and we continued with it even during shooting. My joints would hurt at the end of the day. During the training and shooting schedules, I had many broken bones and torn ligaments.“ As for the MMA scenes, he says, “I choreographed them with the help of Irfan as we wanted them to look real. Considering that this film is my first commercial love story, I can say I have given my blood for it too.“

Do Lafzon Ki Kahani, presented by Jayantilal Gada (PEN) and produced by Dhiraj Shetty, Avinaash V Rai and Dhaval Jayantilal Gada, releases on June 10.

The minute you walk into Kajal Aggarwal's cosy nest in the city, you feel calm. It's partly because the entire house is done up in white. Ask her if she considers it her lucky colour - she wears white in the introduction scenes in most of her films, including her biggest hits Magadheera and Singham -and she promptly says, “I don't believe any colour in particular can bring good luck. I think it's just a coincidence that I was introduced in white costumes. That said, the colour is very soothing. So, my house is all white.“ Her third film in Bollywood - Deepak Tijori's Do Lafzon Ki Kahani, which has her starring opposite Randeep Hooda - is set to hit screens on June 10. The actress talks to BT about her chemistry with Randeep, how she juggles careers in Bollywood, Tamil and Telugu industries and why she finds it difficult to shift base here from south, where she has a huge body of work.

With your third film in B-Town up for release, have you started feeling butterflies in your stomach?
After Singham and Special 26, this is a big release for me in Bollywood. I'm slightly nervous, but I'm more excited. It's a great story and working with Randeep was fab. My character is meaty and I had a beautiful time playing Jenny. I saw the Korean film (Always), from which this one is inspired and it made me want to do the Hindi version with all the more passion.

How did you land the role?
The makers wanted someone who wasn't too exposed in the Hindi industry, but at the same time, was experienced. I've done my share of big films in the south and this worked to my advantage. They wanted someone who looked innocent (smiles) and I guess I fit the part well. But, my character is visually impaired, so, prepping for the role wasn't easy. I've done my bit of homework, met people and rehearsed a lot to portray the character.

You learnt Braille in the process...
Yes, just the basics and trust me, it's a difficult system to learn. When you are younger, your fingers are nimble and sensitive to the different dots in the system. But as you get older, it's difficult to differentiate between them. I visited a centre for the visually challenged as part of my preparation to understand the lifestyle of the people there. Did you know that visually-impaired people have gadgets especially made for them? They have their own cell phone, microwave and typewriters. They follow a set pattern to walk and it's called assisted walking; they hold on to a stick or another person, and that too, with their right hand because it's easier to maneuver. I also read a lot of Hellen Keller books.

How difficult is it to act when you can see everything, but have to pretend that you can't?
This is the first time I'm playing a differently-abled person. And portraying visual impairment is difficult. I can see what's going on, but I have to act like I can see nothing. And this can be quite a challenge. I wanted my eyes to look blank, but at the same time I had to be careful about not looking expressionless. So, I tried seeing with each eyeball on either side. Hopefully, it's worked and people will notice it.

Did rumours of the film being shelved affect you, given that this is your first Bollywood release in almost three years?
There were a lot of production issues, but the movie wasn't shelved. It was just pushed to a further date. I was busy with my other projects, so it didn't worry me because I knew we would get the best possible date for its release.

Your chemistry with Randeep is sizzling and your lip-lock was the talk of social media...
He is a powerhouse performer and the best thing about him is that he is honest in the way he talks, acts and in every sphere of his life. He is passionate about his craft and that shows in whatever he does on screen. We shared a great camaraderie. We used to pull each other's leg and just to trouble the crew, we fought before every romantic scene. Another thing I remember is that every time we prepared to film a crucial scene, it would start raining. And we had to deal with rains in Malaysia, which are torrential most of the time. So, we would run to a café nearby and sip on hot coffee, waiting for the downpour to stop. Deepak (who was the director) would initially fret, but soon he got into the groove.

You've worked with Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar and now, Randeep. Who do you find hotter?
It's so difficult to choose. All three are blessed with brain, brawn, personality and talent.

Bollywood is known to be a tough industry to survive in. Do you feel your juggling act (between south and Hindi films) could cost you some good roles on both sides?
No, not at all. Balancing my career between two industries has never been an issue. I started with a Telugu film and have a soft corner for the south industry, though I've grown up speaking Hindi. I don't think language can be a barrier when it comes to acting.And, since I come from a theatre background, I'm used to memorising my lines. So, I get to choose what I want to do.

However, not many heroines from down south have been able to balance both industries with as much success?
I'm very loyal to my south fans and the industry there. So, it's hard for me leave all the love, respect and admiration and shift base here. I'm a Mumbai girl and have lived here for most of my life. At the same time, I've spent 10 years of my life in the south and feel like a south Indian at heart. Even if I'm comfortable, and I know everyone in Bollywood, I can't just leave behind my roots. It's not easy to migrate to another industry. So, my contemporaries and I are trying our best to strike a balance. This way, we get to enjoy the best of both the worlds.

No one remembers her from Samir Karnik's 2004 romance Kyun! ho Gaya Na... in which she played Aishwarya Rai's sister, Riya. For many, Kajal Aggarwal made her Bollywood debut opposite Ajay Devgn in the Rohit Shetty-directed cop drama, Singham, seven years later. And despite the film's super success, she disappeared down South, only to reappear as Akshay Kumar's leading lady in the heist thriller, Special 26 in 2013, followed by another two-year hibernation. Why this game of hide-and-seek?

Speaking to Mirror from Ooty, where she's filming the Tamil Telugu bilingual, Brahmotsavam, with Mahesh Babu, the 30-year-old actress points out that even down South, she's always opted for quality over quantity. “In this industry it's easy to get typecast and I've been careful even with my Tamil and Telugu films. Special 26 was not a substantial role in terms of screen time but I fell in love with the script immediately,“ says Kajal, who is gearing up for another comeback with Deepak Tijori's intense love story, Do Lafzon Ki Kahani, next year. “I play a blind girl or rather because of a disorder, she suffers from poor sight. So while Randeep (Hooda) trained in martial arts, I went to a Blind School and studied Braille.“

So, will the disappearing acts continue? “I hope not,“ she laughs, huffing and puffing on the treadmill. “I'd like to strike a balance between Bollywood and the South. After all, Hindi is my language and I am a South Mumbai girl.“

His father still remembers the sound of a bomb blast outside his house in Afghanistan, minutes after his son was born. The newborn was named Sebghatullah (Call of God) Bayat. He was a born rebel who rarely attended classes after marking his attendance. Football was his favourite sport, and thanks to his father who was an expert, he got interested in martial arts too. He also had a weakness for films but they were banned during the Taliban rule. Anyone found indulging in these “illegal activities which went against religion“ was put behind bars for a minimum of six months.

Sebghatullah graduated from the Afghan Institute of Technology with his mind on “magic of films“. He got a job as the head of security in an Australian firm and made lots of money. After the Taliban went out of power in 2003, he produced and acted in a film. Farz flopped and he was in dire financial straits. He continued acting but wasn't happy with the films he was getting.

Then, with some friends, he saw Hrithik Roshan's debut film, Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai. The DVD he had bought from the underworld was so bad they could only see the film post interval. But after seeing it, Sebghatullah decided to leave for India.

“I shared one little room in Pune with several boys from Afghanistan who left after completing their studies. But I stayed on and moved to Mumbai where Prem Chopra introduced me to Kishore Namit Kapoor who offered me a scholarship in his acting school,“ recalls Sebghatullah who changed his name to Sameer Ali Khan.

He got a break in a short film, God Is Dead, which was screened at Cannes. He followed up with roles in Krrish 3, Happy New Year and 18.11... A Code of Secrecy. His upcoming films include Ranveer The Marshall and Airlift. He is also designing the fights for Randeep Hooda's Do Lafzon Ki Kahani.

Things were going well till last week when the teaser of his first Hollywood film, Rock The Kasbah, started playing in Afghanistan. Co-starring Bruce Willis and Bill Murray, it is directed by Oscar winner Barry Levinson. Sameer who plays the main villain is dressed like a Taliban. A section of the Taliban still active in Afghanistan, sees him as a foreign agent out to ruin their culture and has been sending him death threats.

The violent messages have been coming since Sameer took a group of Indian actors, including Suniel Shetty, Geeta Basra, Parikshit Sahni and Alyy Khan, on a tour of Afghanistan as a goodwill gesture. A royal reception with the support of the government was hosted for the delegation and includ ed a convoy of 75 air-conditioned, bullet-proof Land Rovers.

The threats are growing. From “we'll cut off your hands and legs“ to “we'll kill you if you step into Afghanistan again“. His family has moved to the US and if the threats don't stop, he plans to join them soon.

He says, “I never knew things would take such a violent turn for something I was doing peacefully. I have been loyal to my roots and my country. What I do and achieve is only to bring honour to my country. I pray that the madness ends soon and Afghanistan returns to normalcy. We have so much talent lying idle and the best of locations. I hope that those in power, and the people, especially the youth, realise the mistakes made and work to build a better future. I hope to return home some day.“

Randeep Hooda is all set to take off to Malaysia for two months for Deepak Tijori's thriller, Do Lafzon Ki Kahaani, and his puppy love is already devastated. The actor met Candy six years ago when the pooch was wandering outside the Mumbai airport one hot summer day when the actor had gone to pick up his visiting parents. “We met at the airport and have been together since,“ he smiles. The actor admits that he had wished for a dog called Rocky or Rambo but now that he has Candy, he isn't complaining.

Candy has been with him on shoots all over the city, even the country, and this time too he was all set to pay the price of being with his pet. “But then I discovered that Malaysia has a really long quarantine period and I didn't want to leave Candy alone with strangers. By the time she was out, it would be time for me to return and then she'd have to be in quarantine again. So, I decided to fly down my parents to Mumbai instead so that mom can babysit Candy,“ he sighs, not looking forward to his pet seeing him packing for the trip because then she'll inevitably start pawing him, with a doleful expression in her eyes.

Candy doesn't boast of great pedigree. She's a desi mongrel with a touch of Dalmatian, he believes, pointing to the faded spots on her white hide. “But she's super intelligent and understands that `Action' means you stop wandering around and `Cut' means you can carry on,“ he says proudly. “Everyone loves her, and like me she loves everyone except ladies with big handbags. She's even made friends with my horses and goes with me to the race course everyday when I'm in Mumbai. She's my true soulmate... Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge for real!“

Randeep Hooda is no doubt a good looking man, but he has so far chosen his acting and not his body to be his USP. In Deepak Tijori's Do Lafzon Ki Kahani, an unconventional love story starring Randeep Hooda and Kajal Aggarwal, we have learnt that Randeep, for the first time, plays a mixed martial artiste. We have learnt that Randeep has been working relentlessly in the gym to get his body into the shape of a fighter that he is playing. Be it his Jat genes that got awakened or the role that required him to transform and flaunt his body, well, he has done it. We bring you the first look of his transformed body.

Deepak Tijori has been conducting a workshop with actors Randeep Hooda and Kajal Aggarwal for his action-packed love story, Do Lafzon Ki Kahani. “Randeep has been undergoing physical training in mixed martial arts since he plays an ex-MMA fighter. The workshop was essential because the film primarily focuses on his character and Kajal's, who is a sculptor by profession. Shooting will be taxing and the workshop is good prep work,“ says Deepak, who is making his comeback to direction after a five-year long hiatus. After 10 days of training, Kajal has now gone off to shoot a South film. “I'll continue the workshop with Randeep. And once she is back, we will fly off to Malaysia and start filming,“ Deepak adds. -Sanyukta Iyer

Randeep Hooda and Kajal Aggarwal are coming together for Do Lafzon Ki Kahani, directed by Deepak Tijori. The love story will be set in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

Deepak, who is returning to direction after more than five years, feels that the fresh pairing will be a highlight of the film. “It's a brooding love story with a little bit of action. Randeep and Kajal are an intriguing combination, and are apt for the story. Once you watch the film, you'll understand why I chose them,“ he says.

Randeep, who is known to play unconventional roles, essays the role of an ex-Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter. To lend authenticity to his character, the actor is currently training in the martial art form.

Kajal too has an author-backed role.About his choice of actress, Deepak states, “I think Kajal's potential has not been exploited in Hindi films so far. I can assure you of a powerful performance by her.“

The movie, produced by Avinaash V Rai under the banner of Dhiraj Motion Pictures, marks Randeep's first out-and-out love story . “It's also my first attempt at a love story,“ says Deepak, adding, “Randeep was our only choice for this role. Avinaash and I were convinced that only he can play this intense character. It was tough to find a girl who could match Randeep's potential. Kajal fit the bill. Once I met her, I knew I had found the perfect match.“