Rajpal Yadav after having many hits to his credit is finally getting appreciation for his work but the versatile actor don’t want to restrict his talent to comedy only and therefore keeps experimenting.

Your recent comic caper 'Malamaal Weekly' has become a hit. What's the reason behind its success?

Thanks to the globalization of the media, people are well-versed with what’s happening not just in the country but in every part of the world, and the reality can be quite frightening. Cinema provides them with an escape route and some light moments.

However, like it is with fashion, the circle changes periodically with films too. Today it’s comedies; tomorrow it could be action adventures or tragic dramas. What is consistent is that cinema is a never-ending source of entertainment no matter what form it takes. That’s why I have never restricted myself to any one genre. From the main hero to second leads to character roles, from comedy to intense drama and negative roles, I’m constantly experimenting.

You have proved yourself in a variety of roles yet you're perceived as a comedian. Doesn't that bother you?

What’s important is that no matter what role you play logon ko mazaa aana chahiye. As long as people appreciate me and I get the kind of work I enjoy I’m happy. You can call me whatever you want but I know for a fact that ‘Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon’, ‘Main Meri Patni Aur Who’ and ‘Waqt’ were not comedies, yet people liked me in them.

But when lead actors like Akshay and Abhishek walk away with 'Best Actor in a Comic Role' award, surely it must bother you.

No, there’s no naarazgi,no shikayat with any jury. Whoever wins the award deserves it. On my part it’s enough that the audience is appreciating my performnces. Not winning an award is not going to erode my confidence as an actor.

Do you see yourself winning the best comedian award for a film like 'Ladies Tailor'?

Jo mila hai wohi haqeeqat hai, I don’t want to speculate on what is going to happen. The screenplay of my life has been penned by the Almighty above. Only he knows what tomorrow holds in store. On my part I can only be patient and wait to see what the new day brings.

Now some people have this perception that after bagging lead roles in big films alongside big stars, you too have started behaving like a superstar.

Who’s been saying that? Why? I’ve never percieved myself as a star or even an kalakaar. I’m just a student of acting and learning everyday. For me every film is a job that I must do well, imandari se, because only if people like me in this film, then I will get another. I’ve never wasted precious time projecting or marketing myself. But you can’t stop people from talking, can you?

Though 'Main Meri Patni...' was as critically acclaimed as 'Main Madhuri Dixit...' it wasn't a big commercial success. Does that bother you?

My glass is not empty, it is half full. And as far as I’m concerned ‘Main Meri Patni…’ was a superhit because today when bigger films are going bust in 1-2 weeks, my film ran for six weeks and was appreciated by both the press and the public alike.

You've been credited with the story of 'Main Meri Patni...' Are you contributing any more story ideas?

I’m working on it. When it’s executed there’ll be a story to tell.

You've worked in many of Priyadarshan films. What's your take on him?

I’ve worked with some of the best directors in the country like Ramuji (Ram Gopal Varma), Davidji (Dhawan), Satishji (Kaushik) and Darshanji (Dharmesh) in the past and Priyan is one of them too. It’s amazing the way he is able to create so much confusion on screen but away from the arclights, his mind is crystal clear. He knows exactly what his characters are going to do in which situations; this makes for a very focussed plot and creative satisfaction for his actors.