Both within and outside the United Nations, sources said, the celebrated Bollywood actor made a good impression on fellow delegates with his baritone voice and a stylish delivery of speeches.

The actor, who was union minister under the Bharatiya Janata Party led NDA government, spoke to Senior Editor Suman Guha-Mozumder on his UN experience, his Bollywood career and the BJP.

An indication of the actor's popularity was that the conversation in the lobby of the UN Plaza hotel was interrupted several times by Pakistani officials attending a conference at the same hotel, who came forward to greet him and to be photographed with the actor. Sinha ultimately invited this reporter to his suite for the interview.

Talking about films, there have been media reports that your directorial debut Mera Dil Leke Dekho has been a box office disaster. Do you agree?

I did not direct it. This was a sort of learning experience for my wife, Poonam Sinha, who produced it under the banner of Shotgun films. I had nothing to do with the film except giving it moral support because of a few things.

Like?

Firstly, my wife was there and secondly, I have been a great supporter for women's reservation, their rights. You must have seen that (my support for women's rights) in my Shotgun show, or even in Parliament. In fact, what is going on in Parliament on this issue is simply dramabazi.

The fact remains, why 33 per cent reservation, perhaps they (women) deserve more. Even if they get 100 per cent it is less. I appreciate (Bihar Chief Minister) Nitish Kumar for reservation of 50 per cent for women in that state. I thought since it is my wife, a lady (producing the film) she should be given a free hand and total support.

I went to the shoot only four or five times.

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