In an exclusive conversation, Jimmy Shergill talks about being the 'guy with an attitude' and his new film Kehtaa Hai Dil Baar Baar releasing next week...

Nitin Kalra: You've already had three releases this year - Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai, Dil Hai Tumhara and Dil Vil Pyar Vyar. Two of your films - Kehtaa Hai Dil Baar Baar and Hasil are set to release. Do you think, the actor Jimmy has finally arrived?
Jimmy Shergill: This is something the people should tell me! But yes, I've had the maximum number of releases this year and I am glad that the time I was waiting for since the last eight years has finally come. After Maachis I was written in as the next intense hero. But things didn't work until Mohabbatein. The long and patient wait has finally paid off!

NK: In all three films - Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai, Dil Hai Tumhara and Dil Vil Pyar Vyar - you were playing one of the many characters. Didn't your image suffer due to this?
JS: Not at all! I have been very clear right from the beginning that I am a performer and I want people to accept me as a performer and not as the main lead of any film. Except Jahan Tum Le Chalo I have been just one of the performers. But gladly my roles have been accepted in all of them. Tell me one film where people haven't liked my acting? While choosing a role I don't see whether it's a lead or not but I see how I can enhance the script through my performance. If I don't like a script I reject it outright. Many people have branded me as 'choosy' or 'the guy with an attitude'. But this is the way I work. If a script fails to excite me I can't do justice to it anyways so why take it up.

NK: What character do you play in Kehtaa Hai Dil Baar Baar, which is releasing next week?
JS: Kehtaa Hai... is a very sweet film shot totally in New York and New Jersey. I play a rich guy who cares a damn about things in life, especially money. He is a guy who just wants a simple business and a decent lifestyle for himself. He keeps dreaming of this girl who he finally meets and falls in love with. The film was shot in two months and can be described as a light romantic tale with a lot of funny situations. Paresh Rawal is the main attraction in the film and working with him was a real pleasure. Also working with Kim Sharma, who plays my girl, was fun again.

NK: Which are the films you are currently working on?
JS: I have a film called Hasil, which will release by the end of December. In this film I am opposite Hrishitaa Bhatt, while Ashutosh Rana plays negative. This one is a very intense love story. Next year I will have a film with Vidhu Vinod Chopra and a couple of other projects. I will also be doing an English film, hopefully.

Do you have any thoughts on this? Feel free to send Nitin an e-mail @ Nitin Kalra.