Original bad man

Watch out for "Baaad Man" Gulshan Grover. Not content with inspiring a villainish character in the American comic book Nephilim, he is now getting ready to play that same character, Azazel, in Hollywood. Here's the man himself, speaking candidly and happily on all things professional and personal:

You still love to play the villain, don't you?
Absolutely!! It's far more challenging and far more difficult to play a villain. If they know you are good, you run the risk of having your role reduced - or even cut!

Who do you consider the best ever Hindi film villain?
No doubt the best villain is Gulshan Grover (laughs).

Why?
He is the best, he works hard, is honest and the audiences love him!

What's the one character you have no desire to play?
Any character which involves running around trees!

Tell us about what your crazy fans do...
One fan right now calls my number continuously - 40 to 50 times a day! All my staff is aware of this and we have even fed in the number on our phones as "crazy fan"!

Are villains typecast in Hindi films?
Without a doubt they are typecast. People feel villains are not capable of doing any other roles at all.

What is the inspiration behind your disguises?
I feel every character should be unique, right from the look through to costumes, mannerisms and even the way of talking.

My characters are borrowed from people in real life. When you play a villain, you can make it more interesting by giving it an added dimension. You can experiment, since no two people are the same.

Which Bollywood actor can never play a villain?
I think the majority of heroes cannot play a villain. As actors are adored by fans, they can't play a negative role.

What kind of person are you off-screen?
I am a normal guy with regular problems and anxieties. I have normal interests and my own share of feeling good and bad.

Grover, up close date of birth:
September 21

Resides at:
Woodstock, in suburban Versova

Biggest vice:
Too much of a workaholic, always!

Favourite item number:
Kajra Re

Favourite pretty woman:
Sushmita Sen

The perfect gentleman

Pooja Bhatt once said you're the safest man to have around if stranded on a desert island! True??
I believe in mutual attraction in any relationship. Yes, I am a gentleman and I have never made a deliberate pass at any woman. I am a normal guy; I have my set of relationships. But I am definitely not a fake person, as you know.