Sanjay Gupta’s Kaante, which completed 22 years earlier this month, was Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs with some tweaks here and there. Shot entirely in the US with an all-American crew, Kaante’s technical brilliance shines through. To his credit, Sanjay had not given in to the temptation of focusing on the biggest star in the cast, namely, Amitabh, and let every character develop on its own. Amitabh Bachchan was all revved up about Kaante on its release. Here’s looking back at an interaction with the superstar.

Q. Sanjay Gupta told me you had made up your mind to do Kaante even before he approached you because of Sanjay Dutt?

A. Yes, Sanjay Dutt did speak to me about Kaante. My career’s first screen test was organised by Mrs. Nargis Dutt, and I feel very emotional about that episode in my life. The second film of my career was Sunil Dutt Saab’s Reshma Aur Shera. Dutt Saab signed me for that film when I was a nobody. So I share a bond with the Dutt family. I wanted to extend a gesture of friendship if I could. When Sanjay came to me, I readily agreed.

Q. Kaante was made in LA during the September 11 attack?

A. Oh yes, the World Trade Centre. I was in a flight when it happened. We all got stuck in London. I had to spend a couple of days in London before we could fly into LA. I haven’t seen Kaante yet, but it looks very promising. Yes, I play a grey role. I’m part of an ensemble cast. We’re all equal partners in the crime.

Q. But is the role negative?

A. It has negative shades. But yes, the role in Aankhen is more negative. For that matter, even my roles in Don and Deewaar had negative shades. I had a great time shooting for all three films with so many colleagues. We had a lot of fun. We’re all missing each other.

Q. You had a bout of ill health shooting for Kaante in LA?

A. While shooting for Kaante in the US, I developed a cervical problem which restricts my movement in the neck region even further. Jo commitments hain usse main kaise chod doon? It isn’t as though I like pushing myself. I’m not jumping from here to there for no reason. There are commitments, and they have to be fulfilled. I couldn’t wriggle out of my Kaante schedule. It was planned two years ago. I can’t wriggle out of KBC. I just have to keep going. Long live painkillers.

Q. Was Kaante a good experience?

A. Yes, it was a fine experience. We worked with an American crew. That was a first for me. I was very happy. The atmosphere was most conducive to work. We were able to finish off our work on schedule in spite of the September 11 setbacks. I had gone to Egypt for a day to accept an award at the Cairo Film Festival. I was on the way back from Cairo, changing planes in London when we were brought back to Heathrow after takeoff.

Q. You mean after the WTC devastation?

A. Yes, my daughter had informed me about the happening while I was waiting at the airport lounge in London. So I was watching the devastation on CNN, not knowing we would be back after takeoff and that I would be stranded in London for four days. Only then could I proceed to LA. Still, we wrapped up the shooting. As far as I’m concerned, Kaante is over for me.

Q. Isn’t this the way to work?

A. Oh yes, it was wonderful. And I experienced sync sound for the first time. And yes, working in an ensemble cast was also new for me. But I’ll have to disagree with you if you say that in the past, my films were one-man shows. Every film, regardless of who stars in it, is a team effort. All the other actors contributed equally to every film I’ve done. In Kaante, we’re all together in it.

Q. How was it working with a new director and new co-stars in Kaante?

A. It only required some initial adjustments. Then we were all fine. Kaante is more of a drama than an action film. I play a retired army officer who masterminds a heist.

Q. Coincidentally, in Aankhen also, you play a person who masterminds a bank robbery?

A. Yes, if nothing else, I’ll be an expert bank robber soon (laughs).