Nearly a decade-and-half ago I encountered Sunny Deol in the elevator of a Hyderabad hotel, where the Deols and Javed Akhtar were discussing the next schedule of Betaab.

Javed Akhtar was in the elevator and introduced the hero. Much water has flown through the Ganges and the Indus since then. Sunny has answered more pungent questions over the years, and evolved as an actor who's capable of surprises. Shared opinions revealed that he'd like to spruce up the movie-making scenario with projects that reach a big audience and yet strive to slide out of the rut.

In the past few months he has reasserted his credentials again, showing up in films that sold tickets by the bushel and bleeped messages that he has staying power.

It's been 14 years since we met. What do you think you have achieved?

Quite a lot for 14 years actually. Must have done at least 50 films. I remember quite a lot of them, (smiles) surpisingly. Through these years, it's been good, bad, good again... which is fine by me. The movies have been like an enormous playground, it's been fun. I have no complaints.

But as far as achievements are concerned, there are still miles and miles to go. I want to make films which match the standards of Hollywood. I certainly don't want to be known as a Bollywoodwallah, which suggests that we're inferior or copying the west blindly. In fact, whenever I hear the word Bollywood, it raises my hackles.

Not only on a micro, but on a macro-level, we can make films that compare with Hollywood's both in terms of technique and story content. I am convinced that the audience is ready for a change.

If producers, distributors and financiers placed their trust in me, then I would at least try to bring about this change head-on. The only aim of the film industry, like football players, is to hit the goal, the goal being money and only money. Unless you prove a point to them -- that money and quality can go together -- they'll continue to make junk a million times over.

But when you see yourself in your first lot of films like Betaab and Sohni Mahiwal, do you want to perish?

(Laughing rhythmically) No, no, I wouldn't like to perish. But like all actors, I think I improved with every film. With experience I polished up my act. I could see my faults. I started growing up, which is really the beauty about acting.

When I see my face in those early films, I do feel odd. I've changed a lot.

For the better?

(Laughs) Obviously.

To start with, you worked for senior directors like Raj Khosla (Sunny) and Nasir Husain (Manzil Manzil). Were you shaken when the films didn't click?

I was a newcomer then. Maybe when I worked for the senior directors, they had changed. I expected the world but there was nothing upfront on the screen.

Raj Khosla was a very emotional man. For the life of me, I couldn't understand why his shooting schedules took so long; perhaps he was undergoing severe stress because of personal problems. In between shots, he'd start crying. I guess I couldn't understand him then. I'd tend to be abrasive and arrogant, I'd ask, "What the hell is going on?"

With time, I've learnt this is the way it is. I used to be touchy, I'd flare up, if something like this were to happen today, I would certainly be more sympathetic.

I can't say much about the experience about working with Nasir saab on Manzil Manzil and Zabardast. I missed being part of his Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai era. I wish I could have done such a movie with him.

Maybe I was too young or too raw for them, I have no idea. But they did attempt to extract the best out of a beginner.

Do you think you have been fortunate to work with able directors down the years?

Hmmm, I don't know. Something inside me tells me that I'll become a director some day because it's the most powerful portfolio in movie business. A director is on top, he's the king, and if he doesn't take personal interest in each and every project of his, then there's disaster ahead.

A director has to be hands-on, alert, and take his job seriously. He cannot expect a producer to place his money on his half-baked dreams. Unfortunately, I've seen every second director succumb to temptation; he ends up making films which have about as much lasting value as a bag of popcorn. You see the film, then forget it as soon as you've left the auditorium.

Who would you say are the serious directors?

J.P.Dutta, Rajkumar Santoshi I'm afraid only in his initial days, and Rajiv Rai have been very serious about their projects.

How serious are you about acting?

Extremely serious. At least, I believe I am.

If you were to talk to a kid about acting, what would you tell him?

I'd tell him to see a film and make his own judgement. Even five-year-old kids can distinguish between a good and a bad performance. Everyone passes comments on an actor's performance.

But I can't pinpoint what exactly goes into a performance -- it's more felt than articulated.

Often you've tried to be casual while doing absurd roles. Is that the only way out when you're stuck with a far-fetched characterisation?

I've tried to be believable even when the character is far-out. I've tried to be natural while doing the most unnatural things. Also I've realised that in terms of the physical look I cannot play Hitler, for instance. But if asked to convey his madness, his despotism, I'm sure I could even if it doesn't jell with my own personality.

Of course, I cannot reconcile with certain aspects of acting. I can't indulge in cheap and vulgar comedy which is why mercifully no one ever asks me to deliver those awful double-meaning dialogue. I also don't raise my hand on women in the movies because it's so demeaning.

What do you have to say about dancing?

It's agony. But what to do? I have to go through it because it's an important part of our cinema. I now have to see if I can enjoy dancing while the camera is on. I know there are jokes about my dancing, but I am what I am. I am not exactly Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly or John Travolta.

Would you agree that Ghayal brought about a radical change in your approach to acting?

Sure, it was a self-revelation. I saw a different side of me. It made me confident that I had the potential to be a capable actor. From that point, I was taken seriously. But Ghayal wasn't the be-all and end-all of my career, it wasn't as if this was the maximum I can do.

My next test will be my forthcoming releases. I've played a Sardar for the first time in Border, a film which I think should be a landmark in Indian cinema. I'm also excited about Ishaq Mushaq, a comedy being directed by Anand Mahindroo, and a film being directed by Gurinder Chadha (of Bhaji On The Beach) with Bobby and me.

Weren't you planning to get into the multi-media mode by producing films for television etc etc?

I want to. But I have more than I can chew on my plate right now. Dad is working towards a mega-project in Khandala, a studio with every film-making facility under one roof.

Wasn't there talk of a corporation? Why hasn't it taken off yet?

That's just as well. Because right now we can take only as much as we can handle. I can see that those who've got into it are still suffering teething problems. It would be great to offer an entertainment package but for that it is essential to first identify and then recruit the right manpower.

After so many years in the industry, can you trust anyone?

(Firmly) No way! You can't trust anyone in this industry. I've seen that it's every man for himself. You can't afford to get emotionally involved with anyone, you can't call anyone your friend. This is perhaps the way of life in any business. No one is grateful out here.

Were you satisfied with Barsaat?

All things considered, yes. Because Bobby was launched well. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge was released close on its heels and did more business at the box office. Yet Barsaat was successful commercially. I can't be objective about Barsaat...it would be unfair of me to pass any judgements.

Over to Ghatak. How would you assess your performance?

The feedback has been tremendous. I was shooting in Kulu-Manali recently and so many young people there complimented me on my performance. If some of the scenes inspired the youth to think about what's going on around us, it was well worth the effort. I do feel that Ghatak is superior to the hundreds of films being churned out nowadays.

In retrospect, do you feel that you would have liked to play Shah Rukh Khan's character in Darr?

If you ask me, that was a very easy character to play. There was nothing to it.

And what about the character you played?

(Bristling) It wasn't justifed at all.

You still sound angry about the film.

I'll never stop being angry about it. I hate being cheated in life. I don't forgive a director who's done me wrong on purpose.

When you were focused on launching Bobby, didn't you neglect your own acting career?

I was focused on Barsaat, yes. But if there was a gap in my acting career, it was because I had to undergo two surgeries for my back. Now that I've set my health problems right, I'm back in the swing of things. One's body has its own way of curing itself.

Do you feel that you have the temperament of a film producer?

As a producer, one does have to deal with plenty of petty things. I try not to get into the bits and pieces of everyday work. I involve myself with the creative side, like the music and story sessions. I think I'm also good at business, at getting the deals done.

I can get emotional. At times, I'm also innocent about the tricks of the trade. So correction please, I'm not a good businessman. I'm cheated most of the time. I've understood that to be a millionaire you have to be the most kanjoos man on earth. Unfortunately, I can't be a kanjoos.

Do you understand your father better today?

I've never thought of that seriously. Ours is such a simple father-son relationship. He has been a strict disciplinarian... at the same time he's been very protective and possessive. Bobby has been the family's darling, the pampered one really.

Earlier dad would slap me if I did something wrong, but of late, he hasn't. I remember three fingers of his hand were enough to make me see stars.

Wouldn't your own life story make an interesting film?

(Laughing uproariously) What're you saying? My life has just started.