No stunt doubles for Mohit Ahlawat

Mumbai, Sep 19 (IANS) Every stunt that you see Ram Gopal Varma's blue-eyed boy Mohit Ahlawat perform in his debut film "James" has been done by the Rohtak-born wannabe.

"It's all live action. We've used no duplicates, not even wires to show me jumping in mid-air," Mohit admits quietly to IANS.

"In one sequence I had to hold on to the side of a speeding bus with my heroine Nisha Kothari. That was a bit scary. But when you're in the middle of a shot there's no time for second thoughts."

And what about Nisha? "She's a nice girl. But we had no time to become friends. Both of us were too much into our work."

Mohit admits the nervousness is catching up with him now. "Earlier I was confident about what I had done. I still am. But now I'm getting very nervous. The amount of faith Ramuji has placed in me is a bit scary.

"I'm told more prints of 'James' are being put out than even 'Sarkar'. That's awesome," whispers Mohit, who weighed 130 kg nine years ago.

"Then I came to Mumbai to become a star and lost 77 kg. I was heavily into pumping iron."

Mohit says he was shy of undressing before the camera. "But then I realized it was something I had to do. So I got used to it. I don't think I'll be shy about taking my shirt off in the future.

"If you're an actor you've to be prepared to do whatever is required."

The actor, who recently got married, says his wife loves him in "James".

"She is my biggest critic. And my biggest support. Marriage is wonderful. I feel more responsible as a person. I already had a house. We did it up together. My wife keeps herself busy with our three dogs and looking after our home. I feel very secure and happy after marriage."

Mohit says he has learnt a lot from being part of Ram Gopal Varma's Factory.

"Everyone is so focused on work it didn't matter if I was shy. No one expected me to make small talk between shots. It has been a learning experience. Yes, I'm shy and it could be mistaken for arrogance. I guess it's time for me to open up. I'm changing."

The buzz surrounding "James" is tremendous.

"You know I've waited three years for this. For three years I brooded. Now I've decided not to think so much, just focus on my work. And now when I see myself on screen I feel I could do every sequence a thousand times better.

"I guess that's the normal insecurity of an actor. I'm scared about how audiences will react. I guess that's normal. The more scared you get the harder you'll work. Now I've Ramu's 'King' and 'Sholay' to look forward to. In 'King', I play a double role."

Speaking on playing Amitabh Bachchan's role in "Sholay", Mohit says: "It's a dream role. And to play a role done by Mr Bachchan is a big challenge. I'd have chosen to pay Jai even if I was given a choice.

"I've always looked up to Mr Bachchan. And now to be doing his role! I've watched 'Sholay' repeatedly. I'll watch it again to get the crux of my character."

"Doing 'Sholay' is the best news I got in the last four years. I'm doing a dream role and working with a dream director...But 'James' will always be special. Ramu has packaged me like a true star. I don't want to let him down."

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James