Rohit Shetty exclusive interview: I didn't expect 'Golmaal Again' to do so well

Hes Bollywoods man with the Midas touch Almost a month after his Diwali offering Golmaal Again released the film is still enjoying a run at cinema halls across the country and raking in the moolah Interestingly more than the actors in the franchise Shetty has grown to become the stellar attraction of the film Inarguably his persona plays a pivotal role in pulling the audience to theatres Shetty is a star in his own rightRohit ShettyAlso ReadBox Office Golmaal Again Earns Rs 200 Crore Becomes Ajay Devgns Highest Grossing FilmThe comic caper which crossed the R200 crore mark in net domestic boxoffice collections last week has now hit R300 crore at the global market It is being upheld as among the top 10 Hindi films of all times But even as the film appears to surpass records with its numbers the directorproducer has not stopped counting Every morning I wake up to a new figure says Shetty We are still keeping track of the numbers I am elated but more than me the guys in my office are excited There is a spring in their step Seeing them smile and laugh is the most heartening thing for meEven though his faith in his outing was evident when he shrugged off questions about the film clashing with Aamir Khans Secret Superstar Shetty admits the success has exceeded his expectations When I first saw the final edit I knew it would do well but I didnt expect it to do so well I have been watching the film with the audience at different theatres in Mumbai I quietly slink in when the auditoriums lights dim Seeing viewers roar in delight gives me a high And when people say they are seeing it for the second and third time I tell myself Man you got it rightNot known to be partyhearty he has been celebrating with unit hands and family by treating them to dinners even agreeing to a visit to expensive places of their choice When I am not working I am at home I am made like this what to do he sheepishly admitsWhenever we grab hold of Shetty he is quick to attribute every success to his crew Filmmaking he says is always a team effort From the star to the spotboy every member plays a part in the success of the film I cant take all the credit Neither is he taking the acclaim nor a wellearned break But perhaps in December when my son Ishaan has a break from school during Christmas and New Year we might go on a vacation I dont know where we will go Ishaan decides the destinationUntil then its still all work and no play for Shetty He has begun the preproduction work for his next the remake of the Telugu film Temper 2015 The piles of papers scattered on his office desk are testimony that he has already sunk his head deep into the project We are working on the script The film will roll by the end of April he says simply of the film which marks his first Bollywood collaboration with Ranveer SinghThe awesome actor Shetty had alluded to would fit the bill of the corrupt cop well and tells us now that his preference to cast artistes based on their suitability for the role gains precedence over favouritism Even though he has collaborated with Ajay Devgn several times since his first outing Zameen 2003 he avoids fuelling the industrys camp mentality Why should I I dont live in a camp I live in a sevenstoried building he jokes as we thank our stars that he used better judgement while picking puns for the comic caper Shetty is known to complete his projects in a starttofinish schedule He credits the detailing that goes into the preproduction for his ability to pull them off in time The technicians have worked with me for years so they know exactly what I want We work in tandemA still from the filmHis small screen outings since he debuted nine years ago have made him a household name Hes teaming up with Karan Johar for a reality show to find the countrys next superstar But fans of the stylish filmmaker are hopeful that like his contemporaries Shetty too would give acting a go The answer is a firm No Id rather remain behind the camera but I have driven cars in my films during action sequences in blinkandyoumissit roles