It’s been a dream run for him, which climaxed with collecting the prestigious National Award for wholesome entertainment from the President of India, Pratibha Patil. And actor Arbaaz Khan is definitely not complaining. “When we conceptualised Dabangg, it was just a film that Malaika (Arora Khan, wife and co-producer) and I wanted to produce. I believed in the story whole-heartedly but I really had no clue that the film would turn out to be such an iconic one for the industry and us,” states Arbaaz.

And now, as the sequel has already been announced, Arbaaz has directed to direct the film himself as well. Quiz him if this decision has anything to do with the fallout that he apparently had with Abhinav Singh Kashyap, director of Dabangg, and he refutes it.

“Too much is made when little happens. Abhinav has been a part of the core team of Dabangg and I credit him for that. But then again, when a production house decides to make a sequel, there’s no hard and fast rule that the same director needs to be repeated. We’ve just locked the script and shooting begins mid of next year,” he explains. So, is it goodbye to acting? “No way, I’m an actor first. Having said that, I’m enjoying being involved in production and film-making and I want to keep doing the same. I don’t think I have the time to pursue roles anymore,” he explains.

But, of course, he’s open to interesting work that comes his way as and when time permits. That explains his first Kannada film, producer-director Dinesh Gandhi’s Chhatrapati. “I agreed to be a part of the project since it wouldn’t require more than 15-20 days. Also, the film was a big hit in Telugu. I am not playing a mainstream hero but an important negative character and shooting begins soon,” Arbaaz signs off.