Riteish Deshmukh: When I direct a film, I'll do it discreetly

He's an affable actor with a great sense of humour and can crack a joke at himself, too. In his career spanning 13 years and counting, Riteish Deshmukh has done a variety of roles and is most remembered for his light, masala entertainers. But he also did intense roles in 'Ek Villain' and 'Lai Bhaari' (Marathi), which pushed him to experiment with the territory.We catch up with him over lunch at a suburban hotel and the conversation is all about movies, filmmaking plans, parenthood and yes, politics too. Excerpts from the conversation:
You've worked with most of your co-actors before ' Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, Jacqueline Fernandez and Boman Irani. Does that make it easier or is it tougher as the sequences could look predictable?
In a film like 'Housefull 3', you can stretch yourself and try a different take with a scene. And because we know each other well, we can do that. Abhishek, who is the new entrant to this franchise, is a dear friend and fantastic to work with. With someone you don't know well, the other actor might feel bad. Here, there's no such insecurity. Akshay, Abhishek, Boman and I would get into a jacuzzi after the shoot, that was our fun time. We'd talk about a lot of things, which I can't reveal now. But ye s, we boys were like four aunties and this was our kitty party. No women were allowed.
Having collaborated with Sajid Khan for the first two movies, how would you sum up the experience of working w ith director Sajid-Farhad?
Sajid-Farhad had written 'Housefull 2', so they know the zone and the written material is within that space. They've directed it in their own style. While Sajid Khan would improvise while shooting, Sajid-Farhad stuck to whatever they wrote. And as an actor, you have to adapt and deliver.

We believe that producer Sajid Nadiadwala, Akshay Kumar and you are planning a 'Housefull' film every three years.
I hope so; it depends on this film. But you can't predict. We assume that it will get a decent head start, though it isn't easy to get people as excited with every installment of the franchise. A lot of thought, work and understanding goes into it.
Sajid is one of the few producers you've worked with in a number of films.
Sajid is a large-hearted producer. He is someone who makes sure all his actors are very well taken care of. He wants his movies to look big. With so many actors and their dates, the backend is like jugglery for him. Yet he manages it brilliantly every time.
Given your comic timing and mimicry skills, you're a natural choice for filmmakers for light entertainers.
In the last five years, most of the comedies I've done are sequels. Be it 'Grand Masti', 'Double Dhamaal', 'Housefull 2' or 'Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum', they all came to me because they're sequels. I believe in comedy, but the writing has to be exciting and fresh every time. If you keep doing the same thing, the audience will get bored.
Intense characters in films like 'Ek Villain' and 'Lai Bhaari' have given you a break from comedies. Are you getting offered more of such roles?
I'm glad that I was offered 'Ek Villain' and got an opportunity to do 'Lai Bhaari'. The success of both these films gave the confidence that I can pull off such intense characters. I had tried something similar before, but that didn't work. So I'm glad it paid off this time and it also helped me bag an interesting movie like 'Banjo'.

You had a good start as a Marathi film producer with 'Balak Palak' and 'Lai Bhaari'. Any plans to produce Hindi films?
Not yet, but if I find a viable subject, I can consider making it. Right now, I'm exploring Marathi cinema that is coming into its own. Plus, the overheads in Marathi cinema are not too high. With Hindi films, the overheads are higher as you spend a lot of your money for publicity budgets which are going over the roof. Also, the competition is tougher.
Is direction also on the anvil?
Whenever I do something, I make sure I know enough about the space I am in, like I did before getting into production. Hopefully, someday, I will find something exciting to direct. But I will venture into that only when I'm sure, and I'll do it quietly and discreetly.
Moving on to parenthood, your son Riaan is one-and-a-half years old. Who's stricter between Genelia and you?
I want her to be the stricter one, though I know that at some point, I will have to be stricter. He's still too young.
The news of both of you expecting your second baby was revealed via a photograph at an event. Wouldn't you rather announce such important news yourself?
You've to be mature enough to understand that this is going to happen. Nowadays, photo-graphers have become smart; you step out of obscure places and they're waiting with their cameras. When you ask them how come they're there, they quickly reply, 'We saw your car.' And 99 per cent of the time, I pose for pictures because I know that they work really hard. Sometimes, when I'm not up to it, I tell them aaj nahin, and I think they understand, too.

The Hindi film industry is known for its camps, yet, you share a good equation with most actors and filmmakers. It's the art of diplomacy, is it?
When it comes to certain people liking to work and hang around together, you hear of camps. But my equation with people there is personal, one-on-one and not only work related. I enjoy Shah Rukh Khan's company, ditto with Salman Khan. I've also worked with Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn and share a rapport with them. As long as work doesn't come in between, you can have a healthy relationship. I also hardly get time, so when I'm not working, I'm home with my wife and child.
Your brothers Amit and Dheeraj are doing well in politics. Do you see yourself venturing into politics in the future?
My political awareness is high, but I have no plans to actively join politics now. You never know what the future has in store. For now, I am happy acting in and producing films.
You're an architect, too. Do you find time to pursue that?
Sometimes I do, but it's slowed down now. Recently, I saw some stuff and thought of getting back to the drawing board and I'm looking forward to designing; I'm keen on designing furniture. I also keep sketching. Hopefully, I'll make a prototype soon.
What about your kids' room?
That's work in progress. Don't tell my wife (smiles).
Listen to the songs of 'Housefull 3' on Gaana.com