Saqib Saleem on his contemporaries

The actor reveals that he is jealous of Ranbir Kapoor and his ability to be both a star and an actor.

Actor Saqib Saleem, who has starred in four films since making his Bollywood debut in 2011 with Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge, says he is jealous of Ranbir Kapoor and attributes his success in Bollywood to his ability to be both a star and an actor.

Saqib feels Ranbir’s film resume is brilliant as it consists of commercial as well as off-beat movies.

“I am jealous of Ranbir Kapoor and his filmography. On one hand, he does Barfi and on the other Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani. He is the perfect combination of a star and actor,” said Saqib.

The 25-year-old actor also showered praise on his contemporaries like Varun Dhawan, Arjun Kapoor and National award-winning actor Rajkummar Rao.

“I was blown away by Varun’s performance in Main Tera Hero. I called him up and said, ‘Bro, you killed it!’ I think he is a full entertainment package,” he said, adding that he liked Arjun Kapoor in 2 States and Rajkummar Rao in Shahid.

In Hawaa Hawaai, directed by Amole Gupte, the actor played the role of a skating coach to Partho Gupte’s character. When asked if he was apprehensive to play a character who is not the lead, Saqib said, “It depends on how one sees things. I hate to compare my role with Partho’s but I would say that my role is as good as his. The dream he sees of being a skater in the film, becomes my dream too. I never had any doubt regarding that,” reported the Deccan Chronicle.

Saqib wants to do different kinds of roles and not be stereotyped. “I want to work in good films. I believe in content. I would like to do films, which I would love to watch. It is not that I would not do a socially-relevant movie but at the same time I don’t want to get preachy,” he said.

Saqib, who is the brother of actor Huma Qureshi, is happy that his latest film is being appreciated by critics, audience and people from Bollywood. He said both he and his sister have decided to do one film together a year from now on. Saqib, who has so far worked with new actors wishes to work with Alia Bhatt, Shraddha Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra. The actor will be next seen in Mere Dad Ki Maruti 2.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 15^th, 2014.

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