"I am the best housewife"

The world maybe of the opinion that Arshad Warsi hasn’t got his due but the ever-smiling actor begs to differ. He does seem to be on a perpetual quest to validate himself but this constant effort has not embittered him. He has a unique take on life and cracks you up with his wisecracks every time you meet him. Even today, he smiles and says this is the best phase of his career. “Jolly LLB and Dedh Ishqiya were appreciated by the audience. I am excited because this year four of my films will release. Every film is different from the other. The unconventional attracts me. It has to be a little off from the run-of-the mill stuff.” He goes on to add that apart from Rajkumar Hirani (Munnabhai series), directors like Subhash Kapoor (Jolly LLB) and Abhishek Chaubey (Ishqiya) have been able to extract the best from him. “I like Kabeer Kaushik (Sehar) and Prakash Jha too,” he says.

The actor will soon be seen in the The Legend of Michael Mishra, directed by Manish Jha. Subhash Kapoor’s Guddu Rangeela, where he will be seen opposite Aditi Rao Hydari, is almost complete. He is also doing Fraud Saiyyan, directed by Prakash Jha, where his character has 13 wives. His recent release is Vashu Bhagnani’s Welcome to Karachi, a satire directed by Ashish R Mohan.

Arshad isn’t bothered by the lack of A-list projects. “I am doing everything that I want to do. All my desires have been fulfilled. This is my best phase because now I am spending time with my kids, son Zeke Zidaan (10) and daughter Zene Zoye (7). I am obsessed with my children. I love to chill with them. I don’t know if I am a good husband but I am the best father and the best housewife. I can challenge any homemaker in the world.” He shares, “Once my wife Maria (Goretti) went to London to attend a culinary course. I took care of my kids. In fact, my children are more comfortable with me. When I drop them to school, they reach before time. But when Maria accompanies them, they get late!”

He says with time he’s learnt to count the blessings. “There is no limit to greed. You should remain satisfied. I have more than what I want. I have two Audis, a Volkswagen and one Ferrari. I also have a big bike and a huge house. I work only when the mood takes me. What better life can you have than this? Personally, I have no complaints. I no longer worry about anything.”

 He’s often been termed arrogant and says it’s because of his aloof nature. “I keep a low profile. It is misunderstood as arrogance, but it’s not like that. I prefer being within five kilometres of my house. After shooting I want to get home pronto, I want to spend time with my children. I don’t party. That’s the way I am.” He does have his share of friends in the industry. But he claims he likes his space and also gives his friends their space.

“I am very fond of Riteish Deshmukh, Ashish Chowdhry, Amit Saadh, Soha Ali Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Kunal Khemu…  Naseeruddin Shah is a good friend and so is Jayaji (Bachchan). I call her my Fairy Godmother.” Sanjay Dutt is the best pal he’s had, a sort of an elder brother. Career wise too, Arshad hit huge popularity as Circuit in the Munnabhai series with Sanjay. “I share a different relationship with Baba (Sanjay). I don’t meet him when he comes out on furlough. He has to spend time with his family. So I don’t disturb him. Sanju comes across as a muscular toughie but he’s actually a child at heart. Little things excite him. He’s so affectionate. He buys things for me from all over. Suddenly I will get a call, “Bro I am here ….  you want something?” Likewise, I too pick up things for him wherever I go.”
Arshad’s bestest friend remains his wife Maria, who he counts as his sheet anchor. He contributes his success to her and insists he became an actor because her good luck rubbed off on him. “When I met Maria, I was nothing. But I suddenly became an actor overnight. Though, after Tere Mere Sapney (1996), I had a set of flops. Nobody was ready to cast me. Had Maria not been working and supported me financially, my life wouldn’t have been what it’s today. I didn’t have to look for another job because of her.”

His career settled into a steady rhythm after Munnabhai MBBS (2003). “After the initial high, it was difficult for me to come to terms with reality. I’d have been totally lost it if she hadn’t been by my side. She helped me change my worldview, my behaviour… I’m grateful to God for sending her in my life.”
He says the other thing that helped him keep his head above water was the belief that the talented never go hungry. “If you know your job, you keep going. Many people say that I am an underrated actor. It makes me feel confident about getting work 5 -10 years down the line. Being a good actor is more important than having a temporary phase of success in your life.”

He says he doesn’t take anything seriously. “Naseer saab keeps telling me that I am a carefree person. But I’m blessed to have this carefree attitude. And I would advise people to sport the same. Do not take life seriously. It’s not important to be right all the time. Just be yourself. Take things as they come. Let go. Forget and forgive. Move on…”

He asserts that actors should not forget their roots in order to remain sane. “An actor is never himself. Sometimes he forgets who he is. It’s good to go back to your roots, get out of the city, breathe some fresh air and not behave like a star all the time.” He recalls, “Years ago, when we were flying to Hyderabad to shoot Tere Mere Sapney, I had worn T-shirt and flip-flops. Jayaji (Bachchan) scolded me saying I have an image to maintain and that it was up to me to form a positive or a negative one.”

The actor reveals his way of letting off steam is through retail therapy and thanks to online shopping, he can indulge in his passion anytime, anywhere. He smiles, “It’s become an addiction. I keep ordering random things and keep forgetting about it. I’m like an excited child when the courier guy comes, as I know I’ll be in for a treat.” He adds, “I don’t buy clothes, I shop for bizarre things. Like I bought this customised sofa online. I keep buying gadgets I never use. I keep buying stuff for
my kids too... It’s therapeutic!” Sure it is.