Arjun Rampal: I have always liked the anti-hero

Bollywood hunk Arjun Rampal is your quintessential late bloomer. He made his debut with the box-office debacle Moksh in 2001, but it was his villain act five years later in blockbuster Om Shanti Om that won him acting plaudits. Perhaps this is what spurred him to take on the role of a scheming politician in Raajneeti, which has now earned him an IIFA nomination.

Currently shooting for the much-hyped showbiz drama Heroine with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, tabloid! caught up with the model-turned-actor to chat about awards, surviving in Bollywood and re-uniting with Rai Bachchan and more.

Playing Anti-hero

"I have always liked the anti-hero. To play a specific one-dimensional character of a good guy is boring. After all, you can only use a set of expressions. But if I am playing a guy with grey shades, I have several more shades to explore. And believe me, in life certain incidents bring out the best and worst in us. As an actor it's my job to nail those layers."

It's all about winning

"I hope I win this one and if I don't, then you know they have made the wrong choice — just kidding. Winning the IIFA award will be a nice way to round off the awards season this year. I knew Raajneeti would be a good film because even while shooting the energy on the sets was superb. Also, the way Prakash [Jha, director] put it together so spectacularly made it even more engaging. But between us, nobody expected it to do so well at the box-office. It was overwhelming.

"As an actor, Raajneeti encouraged me to do good work and not just act in run-of-the-mill films. Regarding winning, I am not obsessing about it. Let the best guy win."

On Heroine

"Ash and I know each other from our modelling days. Heroine is a beautiful love story. I am looking forward to it because the script is wonderful. And no, I don't play a seedy showman, it's a beautiful love story and hopefully we can surprise the audience with it. It's been a while since we [Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Rampal] have faced the camera, but I am looking forward to it."

Write way

"I can write a book on Bollywood. Yes, it's been a decade in Bollywood but it's difficult to put my feelings in a nutshell. The industry has given me a lot but it has also taken a lot from me. And what I have found out is when the going is good, everybody around is good and when things turn bad, it's not so smooth. It's a tough industry but I have found a space that I am comfortable in. It's the films that you do that shapes and alters your career.

Go west

"I am not pushing towards Hollywood. A crossover is becoming inevitable because the distance is shortening between the West and Bollywood. I am working with foreign technicians and slowly we may head towards the West. But I am not actively seeking out roles in the West."

Learning from co-stars

"Shah Rukh and I have a special chemistry. When you work with good talent, you learn a lot from them. I have worked with some wonderful people like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh, Nana Patekar and it's that experience that keeps an actor excited. When you see Ra.One, you will see that special chemistry between Shah Rukh and me."

IIFA Tweets

@AnupamPkher :

In the Air India Flight to Toronto for #IIFA2011. Meeting lot of familiar faces and it is 17 hour flight. Hope to catch up on some sleep.:)

kjohar25: In London...with mom for a few days before I take the IIFA plunge...hope alls well in twitterland!!!

— Karan Johar

Did you know?

Arjun Rampal, nominated for IIFA Best Supporting Role for Raajneeti, is up against Mithun Chakraborty (Golmaal 3); Arshad Warsi (Ishqiya); Emraan Hashmi (Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai) and Manoj Bajpayee (Raajneeti).