. and his next film will determine if he is a bankable star or not, says Sharman Joshi It is his first outing as a lead actor, but the affable Sharman Joshi , shows no sign of nervousness.

In his over 10 years in B-town — a career spanning 19 films, including Golmaal and 3 idiots (which raised his profile as an actor) — Sharman's first solo-starrer comes now from Vidhu Vinod Chopra . But he doesn't regret being the sidekick.

"I wouldn't do a film just because I am the sole lead, because I am answerable to myself and to the audience. Many offers came by, but the scripts weren't exciting," he says.

Now that he is a solo hero, does he think that he is a bankable star? "This film will determine whether I am bankable or not, but I am certain of the love and acceptance it will get, in abundance," he says. And while Vidya Balan's item number from the film has received flak from a section of the industry for lack of oomph, Sharman says that the Kahaani actor has been keen on doing a lavani number since her Lage Raho Munna Bhai days.

"Rajesh (Mapuskar) who was the assistant director then had a conversation long ago with Vidya on the sets of Munna Bhai , during which she told him that she was keen to do a lavani dance," says Sharman, adding, "For this song, Rajesh went to Kolhapur and Pune, to get an actual lavani dancer. But then he recalled that Vidya had spoken to him about this and he got her.

She's done such a beautiful job." And irrespective of the good or bad publicity that the lavani song is getting, Sharman doesn't mind that Vidya is hogging the limelight.

"I'm a big fan of Vidya and it was a delight to have her in the film." (less)