Bhagam Bhag, Namastey London, Heyy Babyy... What are you eating these days?

(Smiles) Nothing special! This success is all because of my fans and well-wishers. They have always sided with me, whatever work I have done for them. They have guided me to what kind of entertainment they want me to serve them. Above all everything is because of my parents. Their love and affection have kept me going.

This Friday you have another release with Priyadarshan — Bhool Bhulaiyaa. Would you say his Hera Pheri was where it all started for you?

It started with Hera Pheri. It started with Jaanwar. It started with Sangharsh. I have always tried to do something different. At the end of the day it’s about how you can play different roles convincingly. I did action. I did comedy. I played romantic roles in Dhadkan and Ek Rishta and also in Namastey London. I even played a negative role in Ajnabee.

And what are you playing in Bhool Bhulaiyaa?

I am playing a psychiatrist in the film. Bhool Bhulaiyaa is India’s first psychological thriller.

It looks like a typical Priyadarshan comedy from the promos...

It has nothing to do with comedy. There are a couple of funny moments here and there but I won’t call it a comedy. Bhool Bhulaiyaa is about science versus superstition. It’s about spirit possession. When a person starts behaving abnormally the common perception is that he or she is possessed by a spirit. Bhoot aa gaya hai. We resort to exorcism... jhaar phoonkh karte hain. We don’t realise the reality which is the disease of multiple personality disorder. Science has already proved it. In Bhool Bhulaiyaa we show it. That when somebody is affected by the disease, he or she needs a doctor to deal with the problem. Beemaar aadmi ko maar maar ke kuch nahin hoga...

What is your personal take on ghosts?

I don’t believe in ghosts. I personally believe that there is only one superpower in this world and that is God. But I want to clarify that it is entirely my viewpoint and I am not asking anyone to adopt my theory. In fact, I feel a film like Bhool Bhulaiyaa will spark a debate. The debate between science and superstition. Of course, everything in the film is done in a very entertaining way.

Did you watch the original Malayalam film where Mohanlal played your role?

No, Priyan asked me not to watch the original film. But I am aware that Mohanlal Sir did a great job. It’s also a true story which happened in a place called Nahad in Kerala.

In the promos you are seen singing in Bengali...

Yes, that’s because the ghost sings the song at night. So next day when I want to find out who the hell is singing, I sing Aami je tomaar, tumi je tomaar...

Your film is clashing with a big Yash Raj film like Laaga Chunari Mein Daag ...

It’s a huge Id Friday. I think both the films should do well.

Will it be wrong to say that today Akshay Kumar is as big as any of the Khans?

There’s nothing like Khan or Kumar. There are more than 160 films releasing in a year. Ek hero kitna kar lega? Also, I believe we are all one. Yesterday Shah Rukh did a song in my Heyy Babyy. Today I am doing a song in his Om Shanti Om. We are all together.