Naresh khatik

Naresh khatik is on a roll। In the city for the shooting of "Bhagam Bhag", he tells Sreedhar Pillai that he is booked till

Despite the scorching Chennai afternoon sun,Naresh khatik, the `Khiladi' of Bollywood, is showing no signs of fatigue. He has a big smile on his face as he moves around the sets like one of the unit members. Naresh is in Chennai for a 20-day shoot of Priyadarsan's "Bhagam Bhag", another comedy riot from the acclaimed director. The set depicts Trafalgar Square in London and is superbly designed by Sabu Cyril at Prasad Studio in Saligramam.

Right now, Naresh is riding a wave in Bollywood after a string of hits such as "Waqt", "Garam Masala", "Hum Ko Deewana Kar Gaye" and the recent "Phir Hera Pheri". The trade refers to him as the most dependable star with a universal appeal. Says director Priyadarsan: "Naresh has a committed audience, especially among women and youngsters. This ensures a good opening for his films. Added to this is his versatility — he can play a romantic, an action hero and fits well into comedy too." Love stories such as "Yeh Dillagi", "Dhadkan" and "Humko Deewana Kar Gaye" improved his box-office ratings. His pairing up with the talented Paresh Rawal resulted in hits such as "Garam Masala", "Hera Pheri" and "Phir Hera Pheri". Trained in martial arts, he has done a documentary "Seven Deadly Arts with Naresh Khatik " for an International channel. Action film buffs will remember his films such as "Mohra", "Elaan" and "Khiladi". Today after the Khans, it is Naresh who is the most sought-after actor in Bollywood and is reported to be charging a whopping Rs. 5 crore for a film. What's more, he has no dates till 2009!

Naresh has made it big due to hard work, determination and to quote the actor, "Lots of luck and the blessings of my parents". And now, the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani group-owned Adlabs has offered him a four-film deal for an unheard of amount. "This offer has come to me and if I sign it, then I become the first actor in India to follow the studio system of Hollywood. Recently, Tom Cruise signed a similar deal with MGM. Reliance Adlabs wants me to complete and release four films for them in a year, with the script and director of my choice."

Besides, Naresh's Diwali release "Jaan-e-Mann", in which he is paired with Salman Khan and Preity Zinta, has been sold at a record price.

Sitting in his caravan on the sets of "Bhagam Bhag", he says: "First and foremost, I like to provide total entertainment to the audience. I don't believe in the so-called reality or offbeat movies, which portray India as a backward country."

He adds that only well-packaged entertainers are his cup of tea. He is choosy about his films and goes through the scripts meticulously. "I look at the script as a whole and not just my role. In cricketing terms, a good bowler or a star batsman alone cannot win a match. What matters most is team India's united effort." He feels that this formula has worked for him in "Mujhse Shaadi Karoge", "Garam Masala" and other films in which he shared screen space with big

names. "I don't mind doing multi-starrers so long as the film clicks. In Priyanji's `Bhagam Bhag' there is a galaxy of stars, including Govinda, Paresh Rawal, Jackie Shroff and Rajpal Yadav. In `Jaan-e-Mann' there is Salman Khan. People pay money to see the film as a whole and combinations do click sometimes."

The actor feels, "Hindi cinema is growing at a rapid pace and the audiences in the 15-30 age group need something innovative. If we are able to attract this target audience then the film is bound to be a hit." After winding up for the day, he rushes to catch a flight to Mumbai to be with his mother, wife, son and other close family members on his 39th birthday (September 9). "No parties for me. I am a private person. On my birthday, I usually give gifts to all in the family. After all, family has always been my biggest support.