Call connect: Karthik Calling Karthik

There is a joke in Bollywood circles which goes, if you are a jobless actor with no films in hand then it's time to try your hand at directing.

Less-glamorous directing work is often touted as the crutch of a failed actor. But Farhan Akhtar, 36, did just the opposite. He plunged into directing in 2001 with the cult comedy Dil Chahta Hai (DCH) and made his acting debut seven years later with the surprise hit Rock On!!

But it's hardly failure as a director that made him step away from behind-the-camera captaining, because as far as debuts go, DCH was a path-breaking film, a world away from amplified Bollywood musicals.

Akhtar spoke to tabloid! over the phone ahead of the Dubai premiere of his latest thriller, Karthik Calling Karthik, and says he has no regrets about the delayed crossover.

Interesting offers

"It's really an exciting time to be a part of Indian cinema. The scripts that are being offered to me as an actor today are far more interesting than before. There is a lot more new talent and everybody is gearing towards more relatable stories. The very OTT and larger-than-life stories are beginning to take a back seat," Akhtar says.

True to his word, Akhtar — with his unconventional looks and gravelly voice — may have been a misfit a decade ago.

"Honestly, I sincerely doubt whether you will see me running around the trees. Thankfully, the breaking-into-songs trend is now disappearing. Actors and directors are now focusing on treating songs naturally. Look at My Name Is Khan — the nature of the film did not allow Shah Rukh [Khan] and Kajol to break out into a song suddenly. Thank God for the change."

Quick to reject films that do not match his artistic sensibilities, Akhtar maintains that his latest film, in which he plays the title role, is not a fantasy creation.

"I play an introvert, and it is not something that you should rub into people's faces. For instance, an introvert will never come up to you and say that he loves to wear blue on Mondays nor does he give you all the details of his life in one sitting. Slowly but surely they will reveal who they are. My role called for a lot of subtlety and the story is unfolded in layers. That was exciting."

The three-film-old actor is equally cagey when asked if he is playing a double role in the film. "I can't answer that now, because anything I say will ruin the mystery.

"It's about an introvert whose life changes after he gets this mysterious call."

Hunger to succeed

The thriller is widely anticipated for another reason. For the first time, Akhtar will share screen space with Bollywood beauty Deepika Padukone.

"When I heard that Deepika was in the film, I knew instantly that she will bring a certain glamour element into the film effortlessly. She is somebody who has consistently improved with each film. I have noticed her growth from Om Shanti Om to Love Aaj Kal — there has been a definite upswing in her performance. She has that hunger and greed to do well," he says, sounding more like a mentor than a co-star — until he points out an interesting fact about the unusual pairing.

"Actually, I am taller than Deepika — which means I am tall," he quips.

He also sports a different hairstyle in the film. "It's not as drastic or in-your-face as Deepika's hairstyle. But I have tried something new in this film."

It's oddly unsettling when a Bollywood siren such as Deepika Padukone declares her aversion to telephones and having long chats over it. It makes me wonder what she was doing in a film titled Karthik Calling Karthik and whether she will hang up on me any minute. But my fears were unfounded as her professionalism took over from her personal distaste.

"It's not every day that a romantic thriller like Karthik Calling Karthik comes your way. The offers that come my way are either romances or just out-and-out thrillers. I love the fact that it [KCK] has combined both," says Padukone over the phone from Mumbai.

The Love Aaj Kal star has also gone the extra mile for this film. Her lustrous long hair has been snipped to suit her vivacious character Shonali Mukherjee.

"Initially I was a bit apprehensive about altering my looks. I wasn't too sure. But then the director and the rest of the team managed to convince me. After I had chopped it, I realised that the alteration made my character far more believable. I can't imagine Shonali with long hair now."

Co-star Farhan Akhtar's wife Adhuna was her hairstylist. Her hair has not been the only talking point. Her drastic weight-loss has been monitored even more closely.

"I have lost only about two or three kilos, but I think it is making a big difference and it seems a lot more. I am happy that I have lost my baby fat. Don't you think I was a bit chubby in Om Shanti Om?" The last bit was more a rhetorical musing than a question.

"I hate going to the gym. Earlier I used to play badminton and now I do yoga and eat a lot more home-cooked meals."

The 24-year-old star is quick to clarify that her turbulent love life has had nothing to do with her weight loss. Last year, Padukone broke up with long-time boyfriend, Bollywood heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor.

"I am in a happy place and I am in a calm state of mind. That's all I can say about my personal life."

Eager to talk work, Padukone is far more forthcoming when we discuss the unlikely pairing in Karthik Calling Karthik. The statuesque 1.75m star adds that they did not look like a pair of odd balls.

"The height was not a problem between us. But I love wearing flats and so you will never see me in heels in this film. In fact, I find it an advantage because I find heels very tiresome. I don't know how the other heroines survive after wearing heels all day."

Their pairing is not the only strength.

"You will love Karthik Calling Karthik for its believable characters and a strong storyline."

Deepika's fave scene

"Riding a bike with Farhan on the Mumbai-Pune National Highway. We didn't stop the traffic and filmed quietly. It was a lot of fun."

Don't miss it

Karthik Calling Karthik premieres at the Grand Hyatt. Both Farhan Akhtar and Deepika Padukone will be walking the red carpet. The film goes on general release on Thursday.

Quick fire with Farhan

Your next directorial venture: "Don II — The Chase Begins with Shah Rukh [Khan]. We will begin shooting in October."

Your next acting venture: "My sister Zoya's film with Hrithik Roshan and Abhay Deol. It's about three friends who go on a road trip. The shooting begins in May."

Which is easier - directing or acting?"A viewer will be able to answer that better. But I enjoy both."

On building a six-pack: "Actors have no routine, so building a six-pack is easy — but maintaining it is a full-time job. I don't want a six-pack, but I want to be fit."

On becoming a part of the twitterati: "I am not as regular as I should be on Twitter. But I love the instant feedback I get about my films."