Arshad Warsi vows never to kiss on screen again

The kissing scene between Arshad Warsi and Vidya Balan may have generated much-hype for soon-to-release Ishqiya but the Munnabhai actor has vowed never to lock lips on screen again.

Though the film has a lot more than the much talked about chemistry between the two actors, Arshad, who plays a criminal in the movie, says he was extremely apprehensive and director Abhishek Chaubey had to pep talk him before the shoot.

"Mark my words, this is the first and the last time I have done an on-screen kiss. Bass ho gaya, aur nahi (enough of it all)", Arshad told PTI in an interview.

Though the actor doesn't regret the act since it was as per the 'demand of the script', he admits that it was a 'scary' experience.

"I respect the vision that Vishal Bharadwaj and director Abhishek Chaubhey carried. They explained to me the film, its texture, the setting and the characterisation due to which I was convinced about the kissing scene. But only I know how scared I was," Arshad said.

When asked what really convinced him to do the scene, especially since he was so apprehensive to begin with, Arshad said it was important to bring the point of view of his character. "In Ishqiya, both Naseer and I have our points of view when it comes to the lady in our lives - Vidya Balan. The entire romantic encounter is quite balanced actually because there is a man who has seen life (Naseer) and hence is in love with her. On the other hand me being the younger lot is in lust with her," the 41-year-old actor said.

Recounting one of the hilarious sequences in the film which establishes his frivolous character of Babban, Arshad smiles, "The moment I enter this village, the first thing I do is ask a kid about directions to a red light area. It is pretty reflective of this character who doesn't believe in love but only lust."

Highlighting the quality feel that Ishqiya carries right though its narrative, Arshad said that the film has a lot more than just Naseeruddin Shah, Vidya Balan and himself. "There are so many other talented actors in the film who have been handpicked by Vishal and Abhishek. It was never just about its principal protagonists. There were dozen odd other characters that we remember till date. It is only this kind of combination that leads to a masterpiece," Arshad said.

A co-production of Shemaroo Entertainment and Vishal Bhardwaj Pictures Pvt Ltd, Ishqiya also stars supporting actors like Salman Shahid (of Kabul Express fame) and Rajesh Sharma. The film releases on 29th January. Arshad started his Bollywood journey with Amitabh Bachchan's first production Tere Mere Sapne in 1996 but failed to make a mark in the industry. His luck changed when Rajkumar Hirani offered him the now famous role of 'Circuit' in 2003 blockbuster Munnabhai MBBS.

The actor will reprise his role in Munnabhai Chale America, the third movie in the hit series.

Since Munnabhai's success, Arshad has appeared in a number of hit movies including Salaam Namaste, Golmaal, Kabul Express, Lage Raho Munnabhai and Dhamaal.