It's tough to make people laugh: Arshad

Mumbai: It’s said that comedy is the most difficult part of acting. They say it’s easy to do drama and action and even all the sobbing and crying scenes but getting the audience to laugh is never easy.

But Arshad Warsi is one gifted actor, who, from his very first film raised the audience’s spirits and made us laugh.

Some of the best performances were the ones he delivered in films such as Munnabhai MBBS, Waisa Bhi Hota Hai II and Salaam Namaste.

Rajeev Masand: Arshad, is it difficult to make people laugh?

Arshad Warsi: It’s very difficult to make people laugh. Apart from the basic concepts that people talk about like timing and all that, in comedy, the background score doesn’t help you and there is not glycerin. There is nothing else that can help you.

Rajeev Masand: So you have to rely just on yourself?

Arshad Warsi: Totally. It only gets more difficult. If you have a bad co-star, then it’s worse. So it’s tough.

Rajeev Masand: The next film that you have lined up for release, Anthony Kaun Hai, is supposed to be a comedy-suspense-thriller?

Arshad Warsi: It’s not a suspense really, it’s a thriller. It’s a light thriller. I wouldn’t say it’s a comedy. Normally comedy is thrown on people’s faces. It’s not done like that. You’ll laugh a little bit; you’ll giggle in some places. The story is really interesting. That’s what got me into it.

Rajiv Masand: The movie reunites you with your Munnabhai MBBS co-star, Sanjay Dutt. Do you guys have a good rapport? You said that was important.

Arshad Warsi: Yes, of course. You see, apart from just him and me having a good chemistry, we have become friends, so it’s easier. Plus, there is a level of respect that I maintain with him.

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All said and done, he’s a senior actor, he’s been around and there is an age difference and one has to maintain that. It’s like me going up to Mr Bachchan and saying ‘Hey, what’s up dude?’ You can’t do that. So I maintain that and I think Sanju likes that.

Rajeev Masand: Your other film that is eagerly awaited is of course, Munnabhai Lage Raho, which is the sequel to Munnabhai MBBS? Is it going to be as special?

Arshad Warsi: Yes, I think so because there were some things that Raju (Raj Kumar Hirani) wanted to do in Munnabhai MBBS which he couldn’t do because he was a new director and Vidhu Vinod Chopra didn’t want to spend that much money. So now, he got whatever he wanted. So it’s a bigger film and it’s got a bigger platform. It’s a scarier too because to redo what we did in Munnabhai MBBS and not undo it is tough. And to not match up to people’s high expectations is a bit of a trouble.

Rajeev Masand: Are you going to go to Toronto since Kabul Express has been selected to be played there?

Arshad Warsi: Yes, I am so happy about that. Most of the time the films that go abroad are about poverty, hunger and people acting in strange ways and that’s the picture the world has about India. It’s so sad. It’s about you and me. Kabul Express is about you and me going to Afghanistan and talking just like this. So I think we are far more dignified than we are shown to be. So I think Kabul Express is our answer to Hollywood.

Rajeev Masand: Finally, tell me, you have a small son, who is two years old. Does he see your films?

Arshad Warsi: Oh yes, he even recognises me in my different get ups. Like in Munnabhai MBBS I had short hair and he went ‘Dada, dada’. I love him and he’s my stress buster. I could have all the worries in the world but when I come back home, I just need one hug and a kiss from him and I can fight it all over again.

Rajeev Masand: That’s super. Best of luck and let’s hope you can always make your son happy. We are looking forward to seeing lot’s more exciting stuff from you.