'Humshakals' success may eat into Box Office 'Ek Villain': Riteish Deshmukh

Mumbai: Actor Riteish Deshmukh says he is elated with the success of 'Humshakals' but he is also worried about the box office fate of 'Ek Villain' as he feels that the comedy may eat into the business of his next release tomorrow.

'Humshakals' saw Riteish along with actors Saif Ali Khan and Ram Kapoor in triple roles. It was directed by Sajid Khan and released on June 20. "It ('Humshakals') released last week and critically it was not well received as much as we had hoped for. But people want to watch the film and have fun. With 'Ek Villain' I am hoping for both critical and popular acceptance," Riteish said in an interview here.

"It is not a good thing for me. I wouldn't have been worried if any movie had released which did not feature me. I know the producers have taken the right call but I will be hurt in the crossfire. But it's fine I'm still okay with it because they are of entirely different genres," Riteish said.

Riteish feels it is a bit early to call 'Humshakals' a hit but the film is headed in the right direction. 'Humshakals' is also receiving criticism but the 35-year-old actor is okay with it.

"Some critics have loved it and most of them haven't. When we make a film in the comedy genre on a big budget we think about catering to every age group. I don't remember the last comedy, which was critically acclaimed. Everyone thrashed my own films 'Grand Masti', 'Housefull 2', 'Kya Super Kool Hain Hum'," he added.

Riteish says when an actor chooses a film they often know whether it will be a box office success or a critically acclaimed one. Though most of the Hindi films that Riteish did are comedies and critics have panned them, it has not deterred him from doing comedy films.

"I don't want to stop being part of comedy (films) because I love them. I enjoy doing them. But when a film like 'Ek Villain' comes my way it also does excites me. The success or failure of 'Ek Villain' will decide how I am perceived within the industry from here on," he added.

In 'Ek Villain' Riteish will be seen in a completely different avatar. Among all the on-screen villains, Riteish loved superstar Shah Rukh Khan's portrayal of a baddie in 'Darr'. "I was unsure of whether (director) Mohit Suri was sure about having me in the film because of a certain image created for me in the industry. But I am thankful to directors like Ram Gopal Varma who cast me in all kinds of movies except comedy.

There is director Anubhav Sinha who gave me my first action film 'Cash'," Riteish said. "These directors look beyond what I have been known for. It is a great era of filmmaking. And today even audiences are excited to see something different. I am really looking forward to watch Govinda play a dark character in 'Kill Dill'," he added.