I don't believe that. I feel a film is a team effort. I will never say that a film worked because of me. There are many other factors that make a film work like a good script, dialogues, direction, chemistry...

But you have to admit that your Teja character in Andaz Apna Apna overshadowed Aamir Khan and Salman Khan in the film. Even Babubhai's character in Hera Pheri was bigger than that of Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty's.

I don't deny this. You see, people are happy when someone makes them laugh. Whenever they see me, they smile. They feel nice when they see me. This is the advantage of comedy. You become popular. But if you are a dramatic actor, then you get respect.

What do you like more?

Like all actors, I want both. I want commercial success as well as acclaim. Unfortunately, today, only comedy films are being made so I am doing only those. When I am offered serious films like Naseerbhai's [Naseeruddin Shah] Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota, I will do them.

When you took on the villainous character of Veljibhai in Naam, people were scared of you. Now after comedies, do you think your villain image will suffer?

If I get that kind of role again, I will do it. And I'm sure I will scare the audience again. People know I am a good actor, and that's why I got the role of Sardar Patel. Mahesh Bhatt and Ketan Mehta knew that I am a good actor and therefore they offered me that role.

My first film with Priyadarshan was Kabhi Na Kabhi, where I played a villain. But that did not stop him from offering me Hera Pheri, a comic role. He knew I am a good actor and therefore, he gave me Babubhai's role. So no, I don't think my comedies will harm my chances to play a villain.

Also Read: Your favourite Priyadarshan movie?

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