Soha & I are very good friends: Kunal Khemu

A bundle of nerves, as his film ‘Dhoondte Reh Jaoge’ releases, the sober actor speaks to Zee News on his co-star Soha, love and career.

Just 11 when he made his debut as a child actor, Kunal Khemu has literally grown up in front of the camera. Hailing from a filmy background with both his parents being actors, Bollywood was the only career destination this lad ever had on his mind. But even though this tinsel-towner has come a long way, he is yet to carve out his own niche as he works incessantly to bag that one life changing act that he can truly claim to be his ‘call to fame’.

A bundle of nerves, with his film ‘Dhoondte Reh Jaoge’ releasing last week, the somber actor settled down for a tête-à-tête with Tanu Talwar of Spicezee.com. Sans any celeb nakhras, the actor was his humble self as he spoke about love, life and career. Tanu: Your film ‘Dhoondte Reh Jayoge’ releases today, tell us about your role in the film? Kunal: I play the lead character in the film. It’s a comic-cum-romantic character who is trying to make it big in life and is struggling with a series of misfortunes and bad luck. Tanu: The film is touted to have a lot of spoofs. Are you comfortable with practical jokes in real life too? Kunal: I do take a lot of jokes. But see it depends on its type and to what extent the joke goes and how an individual takes it. It also depends on the rapport one shares with the one cracking the joke. I personally feel that jokes should be made keeping the other person’s sentiments in mind. One should not hurt anybody’s feelings. As long as it’s all done in a good sprit, a little fun won’t do any harm. Right? Tanu: Sure, but your film is pokes fun on many Bollywood bigwigs and yesteryear’s classic films. How do you think the industry would react to it? Kunal: See, I won’t call it poking fun but yes it does have spoofs on many classic films. Don’t know about industry reactions but from our end there is no attempt to ridicule any film. I am a great fan of many films we have joked about in the movie but it’s all done in a healthy spirit. The idea is not to mock but to show the hilarious turn of events by recreating historic ‘filmy’ scenes in today’s fast moving practical world. Tanu: So which all films have you opened fire on? Kunal: I don’t know if I should name them all, but to name a few there is a spoof on ‘Sholay’, ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge’ and also ‘Gadar’. Tanu: Being a spoof, is the film in any way inspired by Hollywood films of the likes of ‘Scary Movie’? Kunal: Well there is no direct inspiration. But in ‘Dhoonte Reh Jaoge’ there is a film being made in the film and in those parts there are some similarities with ‘Scary Movie’. Tanu: Is it true that the film is a love triangle? Kunal: Yes, there is a triangle that starts to develop towards the end of first half. It’s between Soha, me and Sonu Sood. The film starts with me and Soha who are in love but are unable to settle down due to certain reasons. Tanu: Talking about Soha, there are a lot of speculations doing rounds about you two. So are you guys a couple? Kunal: Well if I say no, you’ll say such a cliché answer. But the fact is that we are really close friends. Tanu: But then you two have been often spotted together and not just at work? Kunal: See, when two people are working together, then it’s natural for them to hang out together. They go out for coffee or generally catch up, but that does not mean that they are romantically involved. Tanu: So how was the experience of working with Soha? Kunal: Oh she is a brilliant actor and a wonderful person. Her performance in the film is simply great and it was real pleasure to work with her. I hope we get more films in future. Tanu: So are you single? Kunal: Yes very much single. Tanu: And ready to mingle? Kunal: Of course. Tanu: That’s candid. Kunal: Well a lot of actors say that they’ll fall in love after 1-2 years. I don’t feel that way about love. I feel if it’s meant to happen it will. Why time it? Tanu: You have acted in a wide range of films since your childhood. Which flick is your personal best? Kunal: I have given my cent percent to all my movies so they are all very special to me. But like everyone else I cherish my first film ‘Kalyug’, it’s a film that is very close to my heart. Tanu: So what’s next? Kunal: Well, I am very excited about my next film ‘Jai Veeru’ that will release 5 days after ‘Dhoondte Reh Jaoge’. Tanu: Going by its title, is it based on the famous filmy friends Dharmendra and Amitabh from ‘Sholay’? Kunal: No not at all. It’s an action-cum-comic film that has absolutely no references to ‘Sholay’. Tanu: With the film just about to release why haven’t we seen much of promos? Kunal: The film is great but about the publicity that is completely up to the producers. It’s for them to see how they market their film.