Bollywood actor Kunal Khemu, whose long-lasting affair with comedy is an open secret, says he is excited to star in Shivam Nair’s upcoming thriller, which was formerly titled Bhaag Johnny. The Go Goa Gone actor says it’s a high-concept film with a great and tricky storyline, which is why he can’t talk about it.
Kunal spoke about his passion for films. “I also have a comedy called Guddu Ki Gun coming out. I’m very excited about this because it’s a high-concept film as well and will be one of it’s kind. It’s my funniest film till date. I play a Bihari character who is based in Kolkata...I’ve really enjoyed making it, let’s see how people receive it.”
How does the actor choose his scripts? “Based on the first reaction I have to a story, it’s instinctive and that’s what is responsible for me in choosing my films. Later on come the set, budget, money etc. I’ve grown up watching Hindi cinema and I’ve been a part of films since I was young so I feel I’ve really enjoyed the cinematic experience. When someone is telling me a story, I think, ‘will I pay to watch this movie’. If I feel I’m not going to watch it, I don’t take the film. So I guess, I do films that are to my taste.”
He adds that he doesn’t restrict himself to a particular genre. “If I enjoy a story, I want to be a part of it. It depends on the story and not the genre.”
He says it’s his humble upbringing that has made him the person he is today. “I was born in Srinagar and we moved to Mumbai in late ’89. I have had a humble, middle class upbringing and acting was just a hobby and not a profession. That’s why I did a few films growing up but studies were the most important thing.
I really enjoyed my childhood...I saw my parents helping out around the house and that made me who I am. We didn’t have house help, so if I didn’t like something my mother had cooked, she would tell me to cook it myself. When I decided to give acting a try, I had to live on my own for six months and these skills helped me.”
Talking about his marriage with Soha Ali Khan, he says it’s an “equal partnership”. “Nothing has changed since we got married because we were already living together other than a ring on my finger and, sometimes people call her ‘Mrs Khemu’. We connect more as friends than partners and it’s an equal partnership,”
he sums up.