Blame It On Me If Pk Fails

Says Aamir Khan, who has no film slated for next year

Let's start with your nude poster that 'earned' you bouquets and brickbats. Were you prepared for the latter?

Yes. We were not doing it for sensationalism. We had to be honest with our work. And if that draws adverse reactions, so be it. We do hope that when people see the film, they understand why we have been insisting that the nude scene is a key moment in the film.

What was your wife's (Kiran Rao) reaction to it? 

Rajkumar Hirani (director), Vidhu Vinod Chopra (producer), Abhijat Joshi (writer) and I are not people who’ll shed clothes for publicity sake. That's not our intention. In 3 Idiots, Kareena (Kapoor) kisses me. We didnt make that public before 3 Idiots released because it wasnt going with the film (pauses). And Kiran understands that.

Werent you apprehensive of shedding your clothes? 

Have you seen the size of the trunks that males wear when they hit the pool? Its really small and tight, smaller than the transistor I am holding in the poster (smiles). On a serious note, I wasnt apprehensive about the scene in question. If you had asked me if Id go nude for a film before I read the script of PK, I would have said no. But when I read the script, it came very naturally to me. 

What was the experience like?

The scene was shot very aesthetically. We shot it in Rajasthan. I had to work on my body carefully before the shoot. And the transistor is now an inseparable part of the films imagery (smiles). Hirani is a fine director.

But there were reports of creative differences between you and him...

Nothing major. There were moments when he disagreed with what I said- and vice versa. But not once did I feel that I had made a mistake working with him and would never work with him again. Even when we had disagreements, I followed his instructions to the T. I trust his vision and wanted to satisfy him the way I would want my actors to satisfy me when I direct them.

Any plans to direct soon? You don't have any film coming up next year...

I am still looking for the right script. 

Hirani has told SpotboyE.com that he'll take the blame if PK flops...

If a film starring me doesnt do well, I take the blame for it. The same shall apply to PK if it doesn't click. I have a sense of responsibility towards my audience, producers, investors...

There is intrigue around PK and the special screening you plan to hold for SRK and Salman...

We may not have any show at all.We don't want the intrigue to end before time.

At a recent summit, Bollywoods greed for Rs 100 crore movies was discussed. As the first entrant in that club (Ghajini), where do you see the trend going?

Its unfortunate but when creative people make decisions in the shadow of numbers they limit themselves to only what can possibly go that far. Those numbers influence what they choose. If I also start doing that, my choices will be limited. And that kills creativity. I have always selected films on the basis of what I feel from within. I didnt know if Taare Zameen Par or Lagaan would do as well as they did. In fact, I was told that Lagaan will be a disaster. And mind you, Rang De Basanti was the fifth Bhagat Singh film in the year it released (2006). The audience just wants a new and good story. 

Your son Junaid has assisted on PK. Did that distract you/him on the sets?

No. But it was great fun having him on the sets. And mind you, he didnt stay with me only. He was an  AD (Assistant Director) on the film and hung out with everyone associated with the film. He didnt get any special treatment because he is my son. 

Do you plan to launch him as a director/actor?

He is still young. He is learning. Once hes ready for the next step, and if I feel that I can back that step, Ill launch him. But it will be his call if he wants to be launched as an actor or director.

Buzz is, you turned down Farhan Akhtars Raees and kicked about Nitesh Tiwaris Dangal.  

I dont like to discuss projects Im not doing or haven't signed.

Is the fourth season of Satyamev Jayate in the offing?

Nothing for now. We have  just finished the third season. We all have been researching and working on it for five years now. We want to take a break because we are emotionally drained. I dont know when we'll go back to it.