I haven't done any research. I think over the years all the necessary research has been done and it is all in my databank. I collect accents and nuances. As of now, I have not had to do any research for the roles essayed so afar. But in the future, if it requires research I will do it.

Whatever roles I've played over the years, be it Boom Shankar in Boom or Jaggu in Salaam Namaste or Manav in Dhamaal, I just put things together and play the character. It's the same with Charlie Anna: the role needed the feel of the 70s, a little loud south Indian cinema. Perhaps (Charlie Anna) tries to be Rajnikanth, who is probably his God. Charlie Anna has a very pompous attitude, but at the same time he has a heart. Obviously if he melts in front of a girl, he definitely has a heart.

How was the experience doing a first animation film?

I have many animation films earlier, but this is the first original animation film. I have only dubbed for other characters. I've dubbed for Mickey Mouse, Sher Khan and a character called Don Khanna in Duck Tales. I also dubbed for The Incredibles. I had also written the script. I also wrote the script for Jungle Book 2, which was more fun.

So the experience has been there. But I like to go into details. I think I dubbed the longest. Initially you dub without any reference, with just the script. You only think of how to say the lines and how to express it; only then it is animated. After they animated it, I wanted to see it again. It was a good experience as it was original and a very good effort for a first attempt on this level. It is fresh and new. I think we are 60 per cent there in what Disney does in their films.

How do you think people are going react to this kind of first attempt of Bollywood masala animation film?

There is a certain mindset of people that any animation film is a cartoon and is only for children. I don't know and really can't say [how people will react]. We had The Incredibles and it had Shah Rukh's voice. That film was an alien background and settings. It was very American, while this is very Indian. You can identify with the bhais, the girl, the language, the songs, etc. The dance moves are very filmi. So it is all very identifiable. Let's hope it gets a very good opening.

Above all, it is directed by a first time director [Jugal Hansraj]. I don't think that really matters to the public. For them the movie is important. If they like it, then the film does well. Beyond that, they really don't bother who the director is.

How was your experience working with Jugal Hansraj?

I don't think new or old makes a difference. Capacity is capacity. You have to be open-minded. For me, I don't have to necessarily work with a hit director. There might be a hit director, but for me he might not be good. I do films that I like and enjoy doing.

With Jugal, since we stayed together in Australia for some time during Salaam Namaste, I know that he is a very nice guy, which is very important for me. He is intelligent and he knows his work. He has attempted something new for the first time and I thought it was a very good first attempt. You need a lot of patience. To make an animated film, which takes two years, you need huge amounts of patience. I gelled with him a lot during dubbing. We shared out thoughts and we had a great rapport.

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