What brings on this new power-packed Zayed Khan?


Whenever people tell me I can’t do it, I become even more determined. As a child if my parents said- don’t go out, I did. My family has provided me with unconditional moral and emotional support. I exist in never-say-die surroundings. My mom always says, one has to keep creating opportunities regardless of what people say. I ignored cynics and just kept working. People said I shouldn’t do solo-hero films. But here I am ready with another solo-hero film Rocky. I feel I’ve come a full circle since my debut in Chura Liya Hai Tumne.


How did you overlook the cynicism about your prospects?


I’ve always been confident about myself. My goals are very focused and real. I’ve really avoided all negativity. I just wanted to be one of the best, and that’s what I’m working towards. No one comes to the industry to be the second-best.There’s no pressure from my family. I’ve been working with the best talents in the business like Shah Rukh Khan, Farah Khan, Anubhav Sinha, Sanjay Dutt.I don’t know whether I deserve their support. But I was a very obedient person. And followed the whole senior-junior thing which is very important in the industry.I’m still defiant, but not so aggressively as in the past.


You must have been the spoilt son in a family filled with daughters.


I don’t think I was spoilt. I was sent to boarding school when I was 11. That changed my whole perspective to life.


Does the solo-hero responsibility scare you?


Oh yeah! That’s what made Rocky a rocking experience. We weren’t doing a film to prop up big names. We did have options for the cast. But we went with Isha Shravani and Minissha Lamba. I’d like to give people opportunities just as they gave me. Today money and professionalism are awesome in the industry.Now is the right time to strike.


You recently undertook your first world tour


Yes, my Rock Stars concerts. Stage gives you a chance to interact with your fans. I understand I’ve a great international market. I wanted to go and see who are these people watching my films? The world tour opened up a whole new vista for me. We covered three continents. If you get into the shows business you can monitor and check the quantity and quality of your films.


You were one of the juniormost members of the team


You get to know your colleagues best when you travel and bond with them. For John Abraham, Shahid kapoor, Esha Deol and Mallika Sherawat this was the first concert. I got along well with Salman and Esha (who’s an old friend). The rest were all trying to find their own bearings. But we’d bond nonetheless. All of us were extremely supportive of one another.The world tour tag strengthened my whole persona.


How has your marriage changed you?


Marriage makes you more focused. It has become the centre of my moral universe, to affect my whole existence.


Do you take her advice?


I do take Malaika’s advice. She watches every film, keeps telling me whom to work with. A woman’s opinion has to be taken seriously.


You still live with your family?


We’re very closely-knit, very involved in one another’s life. And I don’t want it any other way.


So when do you stop being the baby of your family?


Never, I hope.


You just walked the ramp for your sister Farah.


It was novel. Farah is such a meticulous person, she had told us about this event nine months ago.


Hrithik calls her Mother Teresa.


That she is.She’s fantastic with her work. Her jewellery can be compared with any international label. And she has great business acumen.


What new films?


I’ve signed Anubhav Sinha’s Cash where the opening scene has me surfing bare-chested. I’m toning up my body right now.


You just revived a project called Speed.


Yeah, it got stalled because during an action sequence I injured my back. I had a slipped disc and was out of circulation for three months, bedridden for 40 days.


What did you do during that time?


I started writing. Rocky is one of the films where I’ve contributed immensely to the screenplay. Shayam Bajaj had the guts to sign me for a solo-hero film after Chura liya Hai Tumne.


Would you like to direct a film?


I wouldn’t say no. When I was in the London Film School I used to edit my friends’ scripts and charge them 3-4 pounds.I got to hone my skills in creating a graph and rounding off a screenplay.


What’s the next thing you’re looking forward to?


A great career, then fatherhood. My baby steps so far have been satisfactory.I’m very happy with my life, touch-wood.





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