EXCLUSIVE: 'If Karan Johar never felt bad, why will Shahid Kapoor feel bad?' - Manish Paul

Manish Paul has completed ten years today in the city of dreams. Like many other people, Manish too shifted to Mumbai with a hope of making it big in the city, which he rightly did so. As the actor cum host celebrates a decade in Mumbai, he exclusively speaks to Pinkvilla.com about his journey, sharing stage with Amitabh Bachchan, working with KJo and Shahid Kapoor, and films. Read on...

You complete a decade in this city today. How do you plan to celebrate?

I will be with the family and that is the best celebration. Close friends I am sure will surprise me.

Ten years back when you came to Mumbai, had you thought you would make it so big?

No I had no idea that I complete 10 years in Mumbai. It is difficult to survive in this city. One needs to work very hard. So I feel blessed and thanks to people who have appreciated my work and because of whom I have come so far.

You always wanted to be an actor?

Absolutely and I think anybody who comes to Mumbai wants to be an actor and same was my aim. But I wasn't getting films and honestly I didn't even try. I was happier doing television and being a host, RJ. Obviously, then I thought what next and hence I decided to take the plunge and here I am. Things are moving forward slowly and steadily.

When your first film 'Mickey Virus' didn't do well, were you disappointed?

Not at all because hit and flop is not in my hand. But what I felt good about is anybody who saw the film didn't say it was a bad film. They said it is a good film and liked my performance.I didn't see how much the film earned. That is not my job. It is producer's thing to look into it. I do my job, take my money and go home. I don't do the profit sharing yet. I am just one film old. Akshay Kumar saw the film and appreciated it and that is a big compliment.

You are very popular in television. Do you still want to take a plunge into films?

Yes I want to and why not? I am not saying that I am leaving television. I am very happy in my space. People love me and because of television I got films. So I am not going to ditch this medium at all. Also, all the film stars are doing television so no point in leaving it.

Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan or Amitabh Bachchan - Whose hosting you enjoy the most?

I think Bachchan Sir. The class he adds to hosting is simply awesome. Humour wise there is nobody who can beat Shah Rukh sir. The part I love about him is his sense of humour. When I make fun of him, he never feels bad which is a big thing. Off late there are many actors who don't have sense of humour and get offended very soon. If you don't have a good sense of humour then there is no point in being a part of show which has comedy. And when as big a star like SRK doesn't feel bad then it is indeed a huge thing.

Audience has loved your hosting on 'Jhalak Dikhlaa Jaa'. In fact, last year initially you weren't a part of the show. You were called in later. Does it boost your confidence?

Certainly does. I definitely feel good about it but I never let that go on my head. I never made them feel that 'Ab toh mere bina kar nahi sakte inki aisi ki taisi'. I am still humble, grounded and hardworking. It is mutual. They like my work and hence they call me. Nobody is indispensable and anyone can be thrown out. I just walk on the set and have fun. I don't get into the thing 'who is feeling what'. Till the time my channel and audience is happy, I am the happiest.

There have been reports that Shahid Kapoor is miffed with you. Any truth?

So far everything is fine. I don't think Shahid Kapoor has felt bad. Even I read it and I don't know who said it. But if Karan Johar never felt bad, why will Shahid Kapoor feel bad in just half the season. Jitni Karan Johar ki taang khinchi, utni kisi ki nahi ki hai. Aur jitne bade Karan Johar hai, utna bada toh koi bhi nahi hai wahan pe. If he doesn't feel bad then I don't think anybody has the right to feel bad. We all are having fun and creating a good show. So is Shahid. We just pull each others leg and that's about it.

What kind of equation do you share with Shahid?

So far so good....

Any actor or actress you want to work with?

Bachchan Sir is top on the list. He always stays there. The other one is Akshay Kumar. He is very funny. We both are Punjabis and get along like a house on fire. I would love to work with him. And actress it is undoubtedly Katrina Kaif. I would love to work with her. 

Working with Amitabh Bachchan is a dream for you. How was it sharing the stage with him during the KBC live show in Raipur?

It was the biggest day of my life. When I had come to Mumbai, I didn't even think that I will get to shake hands with him. I used to feel that it would be a big thing if I get to see him while standing in the crowd that gathers outside his house. Sharing the stage was not thought of. I cried that day. The biggest moment was that we were sitting at the Raipur Airport in the lounge. Bachchan Sir sat next to me and said 'Aur Manish Kya Chal Raha Hai'.. that 'Aur Manish' echoes in my ears even today! That was a fan boy moment for me!

Which are your forthcoming films?

'Tere Bin Laden 2' is ready. Apart from that, 'Katha' is ready and I hope they release soon. I am doing a friend's film too. It is an action movie. Let's see how it goes by. I have trained for the role because I would be doing fist fights in it.