You both don't look anxious about Drishyam. Is that how it really is?
Tabu: I am relaxed because Ajay is around. He handles everything.
Ajay: (Smiles) I'm also very relaxed because I'm sure about the product, not in terms of the box-office but the fact that people will walk out of cinemas saying that it's either a good film or excellent. Anxiety is natural when you've invested time and energy on a project for six months.
Have you both watched the original?
Tabu: I have, Ajay hasn't. I watched it because my friends had made it and they showed it to me. I loved it.
Is there a reason you didn't see it?
Ajay: I didn't want to see it because my character was played by Mohanlal. I didn't want to be influenced in any way because everyone has their own of way of approaching a character. But I am not worried about the comparisons. It's Mohanlal we're talking about. He's not my contemporary. He is a senior and a fabulous actor.
Ajay, how was the first day of shoot with Tabu?
Ajay: We reconnected at work after 18 years. For the unit, it was a bit of a shocker because of the way we behaved with each other. It was more like two boys meeting. And we've been close for years.
Tabu, it's quite an aggressive role for you...
Tabu: Yeah, but it was fun.
But women weren't as easily accepted in hard-hitting roles earlier as they are today. Do you think the acceptance levels have shot up?
Tabu: I don't totally agree with that. I don't think there were that few strong women roles written back in the 1980s and 90s.
Ajay: I agree with Tabu. There were lots of films that were made and they worked. But I agree with you also because I think we have a more diverse audience now.
Ajay, your last release Action Jackson didn't click at the box-office. Does that put added pressure on you?
Ajay: Not really. It's been 25 years now and I've seen several highs and lows. It's a long time to not let one failure or success ride on your mind. A few of us have been around for 24-25 years.Maybe the new boys have these fears.
Does the age of a character that you're offered ever play a role in accepting or declining it?
Tabu and Ajay (in chorus): Noooooo.
Ajay: I don't mind playing a 60-year old also if the role is great.
Tabu, is that the reason that you've accepted Fitoor where your character goes from a young woman to a grandmother?
Tabu: I am so used to doing that. I, for one, should not be worried about these things. And I'm enjoying Fitoor.
You opted out of Akira with Sonakshi Sinha. What went wrong there?
Tabu: There was confusion about dates and what I was doing in the film. And we were about to start Drishyam. So, it didn't make sense to hang in there.
You won accolades for Haider last year. Do we get to see you teaming up with Shahid Kapoor and Vishal Bhardwaj soon?
Tabu: If Vishal has something great for me, why not? He will not come to me with something that doesn't deserve my presence in his film. Haider came after 12 years of Maqbool.
Ajay, your meeting with Shah Rukh Khan in Bulgaria made waves here...
Ajay: I think it's not a big deal that we met. We're two colleagues and colleagues can meet each other, have a drink or two, chat... it doesn't mean it should become a big issue. Yes, we're not great friends because we don't meet that often. But we respect each other a lot and that remains.
Was it an accidental meeting? Or was it something you both planned since Kajol and he were shooting and you were on a business trip?
Ajay: No, it wasn't an accidental meeting. We were down at the bar and decided to catch up over a drink
Do we see you and SRK teaming up?
Ajay: I don't know. For that, you need the right script. You also need the right roles. There's a lot that comes into play.
Kajol's film that you were to produce is heavily delayed...
Ajay: And I take the onus for it. It was my production. I wasn't happy with the script. And then we moved on from that project, we started something new. The new script is ready and should roll, as soon as Dilwale ends.
Lastly, Singham 3, Golmaal 4, Son Of Sardaar 2...that's a lot of sequels for one actor.
Ajay: The first two are being written. We don't know which one will roll first. And the third one is for Diwali 2017. Till then, there is Shivaay and Badshaaho to keep me busy.