As an actor, your job is half done when your co-star becomes your friend, especially when it's Judi Dench.

It's horrible when actors say that they are apolitical.

Hollywood has realised that we do have actors and are not just mad about song and dance.

I got a chance to work with Judi Dench in almost every scene. How many Indian actors get that chance?

In Bollywood, we are told exactly what to do and how to do it and not to counter things by saying there's a better way. We make our actors feel important by paying them more. But the real deal is when you let the actors take some decisions on the sets.

I remember I was at a press conference where somebody came up to me with absolute confidence, like he knew me forever, and whispered in my ear, 'You should sing a song now. The Indian audience will enjoy it. Your songs will improve India and Pakistan's relations.' I clarified to him that I wasn't Ali Zafar.