I Love Spending Time With Disha Patani, Says Tiger Shroff

Nervous, excited, so many emotions all at once.

It all started during the initial days of Baaghi. Sabbir (Khan) sir had briefly narrated this idea to me and I fell for it. However, we put the idea aside for a while since we had to focus on Baaghi. Once we were done with the film, Sabbir sir asked me about my next project and I was shooting A Flying Jatt at that point of time. So I said, ‘What About Munna (Michael)? Let’s do that’. He had packaged the film nicely and I always wanted to pay tribute to Michael Jackson in a way. So, keeping Michael in mind and Sabbir sir’s mindset when it comes to commercial cinema –sensible yet so many colours – this project took shape.

I never involve my family in career decisions and be as independent as I can. At times, I message Sajid Nadidwala but I don't want to keep disturbing him because he is such a busy man (smiles).

My character, Munna, is a street smart boy from the chawl –Teen Batti. He doesn’t have major goals but has a talent which he misuses initially. Along his journey he finds people and a reason to channelise his talent and make noble decisions.

Yes, I did. I was very nostalgic because it took me back to my father’s days in Teen Batti. He used to tell me stories that even after Hero he continued to stay there and would wait in the public toilet line. In fact, after his first film he began getting the privilege of cutting the line because people around would say, ‘Dada ka shoot hai, unhe jaane do.’ I felt so proud of my father, his journey and where he has come from.

Aisa kayi baar hota hai par main uska faida nahin uthata hoon. People are so kind and I don’t want to misuse my popularity. Having said that I am thankful and blessed for being where I am right now.

Life has gotten more colourful, deeper and stressful at the same time because responsibilities are increasing as I grow. I am fortunate and unfortunate for being where I am. Unfortunate because I can’t reach out to as many people as I want. There are so many people who spread their arms and show me love and I wish I could touch each one of them, but I can’t.

Yes, I was very sad. I was confident about A Flying Jatt especially because coming after Baaghi I felt that I had accomplished something. That being said, most of my fans are children and I don’t know why that didn’t translate into good box-office figures. Something must have been miscalculated. It was unfortunate for me and the team because we had worked very hard for the film.

The day I started working on Munna Michael is the day I overcame it.

Nidhhi ke saath kaam karna bahut nostalgic tha because I remember I was like that 2 years ago during Heropanti. I supported her as much as I could because I understood her mindset. I made her comfortable on the sets and with scenes. Honestly, Nidhhi is very hardworking, doesn’t have tantrums and it’s always fun to work with people like her.

My character is a huge Michael Jackson fan and he just wants to prove that Michael’s legacy will live forever. There is this chunk in the song Beparwah where I pay tribute to him. I groove to his beats, in his style – just me under the spotlight.

It’s a good feeling to know that I have established myself in the genre and it will be nice to experiment in a different zone. But, for now, I am getting a lot of recognition for what I am doing. So, not so soon.

Abhi to maine start kiya hai. There is still time na?

I wouldn’t mind, but I haven’t been offered any such scripts.

No, I don’t. Least bothered by that.

I move to Baaghi 2 with Ahmed (Khan) sir and Sajid (Nadiadwala) sir. The story has no relation to Baaghi but the character lives on. It’s a whole new journey on a bigger scale and expectations since Baaghi had done well at the box-office.

There is still time for that. Will hopefully begin by year-end.

It was all taken in the wrong context. Referring heroines to padding was the last thing on my mind. By padding I simply meant that how a producer and director package a film with so-and-so people.  I never meant that the heroine is just a prop in the film and I never said anything to that effect either. It’s unfortunate that people like to make their own stories out of what I say and perceive things differently. Ask the heroines whom I have worked with if I ever made them feel like that. Frankly, I don't want to defend myself ki main achcha bachcha hoon. Whatever happened is unfortunate. I can never demean the heroines.

I channel all my energies in physical activities. That’s why I am calm most of the time.

Inherently, I don’t do any naatak about it. My father has got a reputation and I don’t want to make a scene and screw that up for him. Of course, it does hurt inside.

Kya boloon abhi? Senior aadmi hai, main bachcha hoon.

It’s unfortunate. I have always been the race horse kind of guy. I don’t see left or right. I only see the finish line. My goals are big; I want to go somewhere where very few have gone.

Yes. My mother and I share very similar wavelengths. We think alike,and we are disciplined. My sister and father are very easy going, bindass and laid back.

We are great friends and get along well. I love spending time with her, but that doesn’t mean there is something more to it. What do you want me to say?

No, I am not dating her. I will let you know if I am (smiles).