Getting work feels great: Junaid Khan

It has a very good hook. I asked Madhuji (Mantena) if he was sure he wanted to cast me, as it is just the opposite of my real-life personality. But it’s a fun character — it compensates for his insecurities by being loud. I tend to shy away from that in real life. Doing that loud role was a bit challenging.

Q The film is a romantic one. Are you a romantic?

I’m a very old-school romantic guy and also very emotional.

Q What have you learned working with director Advait?

I worked with him in Lal Singh Chaddha, I did a four-day shoot schedule with him, so I know him by now. I find that he is capable of getting the best performances from all his artistes.

Q What kind of roles do you like — action, romantic or grey characters?

I would like to do all kinds of characters, but playing villain can be fun. I love grey shades.

Q Would you like to be called a star or an actor?

I just want to work. I got a chance to shoot this film and do another film with Sai Pallavi [Ek Din]. Getting work feels great.

I debuted with Yash Raj productions on the OTT platform with Maharaj. It’s a huge banner. I think every film has its own destiny. I first met Adi Sir [Aditya Chopra] in 2020 February. He told me to do a reading with Siddharth [P.Malhotra] Sir. After completing this exercise, the lockdown began. We completed the project in August 2022. After that, the industry and marketing status changed.

Q You travelled by an autorickshaw for interviews; you seem to have a grounded approach.

I always take a practical approach. Using a big car in Mumbai I feel is not advisable. I like to travel by rickshaw, especially when you have to use narrow lanes. Once I am recognised by audiences or my fans, I will not be able to commute using local transport.

Q Do you take any tips from your dad, Aamir Khan?

[Laughs out loud] Main nahi sunta na. I don’t ask or discuss anything with Papa, but I discuss with my director and writer.

Q Did you visit any of your dad’s sets as a child?

I have been on the sets of Sarfrosh and Mann. It’s boring on sets when you are not shooting. As a child, I would run away from the sets, as I was only interested in playing games.

Q Your father regrets not spending time with his children when they were kids...

I think he is a bit too hard on himself at times. We have strong family support from Dadi and Nana-Nani; and Papa was also around for us while we were small.

I am a Mama’s boy. I can’t tag her as a strict mother; however, she’s big on discipline, like all moms are. Dad is not strict at all.

Q Your bond sister Ira and kid brother Azad?

Ira is forthright about her opinions of me, and she is my biggest cheerleader too. Azad is a cute little kid. He is a school-going bachcha. He needs friends his age. We are much older.