Soft spoken, politically correct and always maintaining a low profile Sharman Joshi is one of the few actors in Bollywood who has always maintained a safe distance from gossips and industry politics. The slow and steady actor surprised everyone with his stellar act in Rang De Basanti and gradually catapulted to the league of superhits with films such as Golmaal and 3 Idiots.

But his humble self is quick to remind us, “Those were all ensemble star cast films. It’s the magic of a team and not just one actor.” The promos of his next film Ferrari Ki Sawaari are already out, but it’s none other than Vidya Balan who seems to be hogging the limelight, with her laavni item number making waves.

Is Sharman nervous? “I am well aware of Vidya’s star power. I admit that she has the capacity to overshadow actors, but I am not nervous,” says Sharman flashing his boyish grin. “In fact, I am happy that she is a part of the film as her presence adds to its glamour element,” he adds.

Sharman, who has otherwise maintained cordial relations with everyone in the industry, was rumoured to have had a fallout with Rohit Shetty, the director of Golmaal. But he clarifies that he has no hard feelings towards the director. “They had poked fun at me regarding a particular scene in Golmaal.

Frankly, I don’t want to react to this,” he remarks, on a politically correct note. But does he regret having lost out on one of the industry’s most lucrative franchises? “I don’t regret it at all,” he confesses, “I’d rather do less number of films and be happy than get involved in controversies with big names.” The actor doesn’t seem to socialise much within the industry.

Ask him how he unwinds, and pat comes the reply, “I love spending time with my family and close friends.” Speaking of close friends, one cannot help but ask him if he is still in touch with Aamir. “I have worked with him very closely in two of the most important films of my career. But he is busy with his work and family, and so am I.

We are good friends and I look forward to an opportunity to work with him again,” he replies. One needs to spend just a few minutes with the actor to realise Aamir has influenced him in more ways than one. And Sharman doesn’t deny it either. “I am a very self-respecting person but I admit people do influence me. Maybe Aamir’s the reason behind my quest for perfection,’ he says.