Though he’s 11 and blissfully well-adjusted in his family of mom, dad, sister, school, studies and play, Darsheel Safary effortlessly plays a nine-year old sullen, bewildered  dyslexic in Aamir Khan’s national favourite Taare Zameen Par (TZP). In real, Darsheel is  just another brat trying to come to terms with being called a super-actor and the best debutant of 2007. He shows super-confidence as he talks about his role, the film and  of course Aamir Khan.

Darsheel, you must be tired of all the praise.

No! In fact you’re the first  guy to be asking me this.

So how does it feel?

Nice, very nice. (chuckles).

How did manage to play such a mixed-up little boy ?

You mean how did I act? I didn’t do anything special to play Ishaan (the character in  TZP). I’ve been taking elocution classes. There we sing, act and say dialogues. And I’ve been attending Shiamak uncle’s dance classes. But we didn’t act out there. I was not scared of acting in Aamir uncle’s film.

Did you know what you were getting into?

My parents didn’t know anything about the film industry. They made  inquiries and then we accepted the offer.

What kind of response are you getting?

Everyone is saying, I’m amazing amazing amazing….

What are the friends in your building saying?

I don’t have any friends in my  building.

What about your friends in school?

Right now we have vacation. So I’m not in touch with my friends. I didn’t call them for  the movie because they'd all gone here and there. I’ll ask them how they liked me when school reopens.

Do you  feel like a star?

Ummmmm… I think so. I had so much fun with my co-stars. You know what?(excitedly) At night after shooting was wrapped up I'd party with  my costars Tanay Cheda  and Sanchet Engineer (who play Darsheel's best friend and brother, respectively). The  other  kids had to sleep at 9:00 pm. But the three  of us partied  till 3:00 am. Aamir uncle  used to get very angry the next morning. 

How was it working with Aamir?

I had so much fun! He isn’t at all proud. He’s down-to-earth. He doesn’t behave like a  big star.

How did  the role come to you?

See, one uncle came to Shiamak Davar’s school and saw me  there. They said, let’s try this boy out. Then at  audition Aamir uncle really liked  me. That’s how I got the film.

The whole story revolves around  you!

Correct. But I wasn't scared at all. I was mentally prepared. I knew my character was going through  problems. But I didn’t know what dyslexia was. When I saw the script and read it I wondered what it was.

You read the whole script?

Yeah! There were days when we just practiced our scenes with Aamir uncle, Tanay and  Sanchet. While rehearsing I got to know what dyslexia is.

And do you, like your character Ishaan, have problems at school?

No  no  no… I’ve faced  none of Ishaan’s problems. But  I’d like to  tell you that all  those expressions are mine.

So do you want to be an actor when you grow up?

I’ll decide when I grow up. Right now I don't know whether I want to be an actor.  Now I just want to study. No more movies for me. Half  the day I’m  doing my homework and  going to school. But (his  voice brightens) if I get an offer with Hrithik Roshan I’ll  do it.

You’re Hrithik’s fan?

I’m a  HUGE  Hrithik Roshan fan. (adds diplomatically) I  also like  Shah Rukh and Aamir.

And actresses?

Overall, I like Kareena  Kapoor. But for acting I like Rani Mukherjee. And for (facial) expressions I like Aishwarya Rai.

And how do you rate yourself?

Nice. Very nice. I liked myself.