Maniesh Paul, who is currently seen in Karan Johar’s production venture, JugJugg Jeeyo, is elated by the response he’s getting for the family entertainer. The Free Press Journal caught up with the actor for an exclusive chat. Excerpts:
Do you believe that a film like JugJugg Jeeyo was much needed looking at the current box office scenario?
I do feel that our film JugJugg Jeeyo was the need of the hour since people have gone through so much in the last two and half years. This film will make people smile. I am glad people are giving so much love to the film and its songs. When I, too, first saw the film, I was laughing at my own scenes. For me, it was the best feeling when people told me that they were waiting for JugJugg Jeeyo to release.
Would you like to share your fond memories of the 90s as far as Karan Johar is concerned?
I remember I was dating my wife (Sanyukta Paul) and watching Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. I have a huge connection with Dharma. As an actor, everyone wants to work with Karan Johar. When I moved to Mumbai from my hometown in Delhi, I always wished to work with him. I never realised that we would become such good friends, but I never misused that to get work from him. He knew what role to give me, and I had faith in him.
Varun Dhawan is all praise for you. How do you reciprocate it?
I haven’t seen an actor like him since he is not insecure. He didn’t show any insecurities on the sets. He thinks about the whole film in totality. I haven’t done many films but have done a lot of stage. Varun stands out among all, and I learned a lot from him. In fact, our director Raj Mehta gave equal opportunities to improvise to each one of us in the film.
Do you believe that JugJugg Jeeyo is a game-changer in your career?
It’s sad that Bollywood is about number games, and my past choices haven’t done well, so in a way, JugJugg Jeeyo is by far the biggest film in my career. And, counting box office numbers is also not a wrong thing. We all are here in show business, and money is important. With JugJugg Jeeyo, people have at least started taking me seriously.
Were you intimidated while sharing screen space with Anil Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor?
The first time Anil sir walked onto the sets, I felt a little nervous for a few seconds since I could never imagine that a Malviya Nagar boy would ever share the screen space with him one day. He made me so comfortable, and his energy is infectious. He is someone who is always ready to give retakes. It will go down to the history that I was a part of Neetu Kapoor’s comeback film. She is great at heart.
Does social media madness bother you?
I don’t divulge much of my life out there; hence you won’t see me making videos at my home. When I open the door of my house, I am somebody else completely. I don’t talk about work with my wife and kids. My phone remains on silent. I don’t like to mix work and my family. My family is also very understanding. My wife never calls me when I am at work.
