Shiney Ahuja: I am not the Rolls Royce but Maruti 800

Shiney Ahuja’s first stint, "Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi" [2005] brought him accolades in his career. With a performance par excellence in the film, also got him the Film-Fare Award. Shiney Ahuja who is making a comeback with "Welcome Back" is pinning a lot of hopes with the success of this film.

Welcome Back: Shiney shares, “I play a character who is a drug addict. Yes! Since he has lost his mother, his dad spoils him as he wants to make up for the absence of his mother. This reel character I play is really a gullible one and he can be convinced in two minutes. Also his father is gangster so I am kept protected. Usually, even in real life those who are unexposed to life and come from such homes easily get into drugs. They become a misfit in the society. However, in real life, I'm not into drugs and not easily gullible [smiles].”

On Bhool Bhulaiyya: Shiney says, “I had not done a good job in the film but the critics have always been gracious enough towards me and have written well about my performances. My wife being my bouncing board had already declared that Bhul …is going to be big hit even before the film’s release. Many of them in the film were not sure about the success. But because of its huge cast I was very much sure that the film will do well. And finally it did well.”

Critical acclaim: Shiney feels that the critics have been gracious enough in for being a good performer and shares an example of Rolls Royce cars, “I remember one joke, while a man who was driving Rolls Royce reached a few kilometres and the car stopped after a while. The mechanic arrived and checked the car. He was surprised to notice that Rolls Royce had no engine. The million dollar question is how this car without an engine could even move ahead? So the driver said, “Maybe because of its [Rolls Royce] reputation!!”

On being asked whether he is the Roll Royce: Shiney smiles and says, “No, I am not the Rolls Royce. I am Maruti 800. It’s you guys who can be compared to Rolls Royce.”

Speaking about his second stint: Shiney states, “Actually, we do not plan anything in life. Every one of us faces ups and downs in our lives and we should not be depressed as we all need to the downs similar to the way we enjoy the ups in our lives. We should also be able to handle the downs and take life in our stride as it comes …whatever may be!!”

Showering praises for his wife: “In every given situation personally or be it choosing films professionally taking any decision my wife is the bouncing board. She reads my script and we do discuss about it.”

Script important than money: “It’s the script which has to be good. “ Citing another example of Goddess Saraswati Shiney adds, “With Saraswati follows Laxmi. We should not run after money. Saraswati hai to laxmi ko apne pass rakhnedeti hai ….Laxmi bahut chanchalhoti hai. It might run away without the Saraswati. Obviously thus if the script is good the film will do well at the box office and another hit film will be added to your list.”

Faith in Lord Hanuman: “I feel strong by saying Hanuman Challisa on a daily basis. I remember when I was shooting for Hazaroon…in Delhi and I was travelling by a car, during the travel time, I just realized it is a Tuesday. I always visit Hanuman Temple on a Tuesday. But this time I was not sure if the shoot would be over and if I could go to the Hanuman Temple. To my surprise the shooting was happening at the Hanuman temple itself. Not once but many a times such incidents have occurred in my life. So I feel not only do I follow Lord Hanuman but he also follows me!!” concludes Shiney on a brighter note.

By Lipika Varma