Can you tell us about your next project MISSION ISTAANBUL and the director? How did the things worked out?

Apoorva Lakhia is a very passionate director. He was very keen to make a movie that has blend of action packed drama and imminent use of technology. When I was offered with script of Mission Istaanbul, I was confident about the project. I was always keen to do films of such sorts. The project required rigorous training that helped me to perform meticulous action scenes before the shoot to commence. I am well versed with martial arts that made me adapt to the requirements quickly. I worked out on my fitness to suit the character of Rizwan Khan. I am very happy to this project which has such a talented cast and crew. I think the director has worked hard a lot to generate a kind of impact he was looking for. He made the going very easy for the film and for actors as well.

The rumors are that your character in SHOOTOUT…and MISSION ISTAANBUL are relevant.

Both the roles are poles apart. Maya was a bad guy in ShootOut... but Rizwan is a good guy in MISSION ISTAANBUL. He is a dude with attitude. Whenever I shot my scenes, I found Turkish beauties all around smiling at me. I am a super hero in the film who can solve all problems. Apoorva Lakhia has even recorded a promotional song Apun Ke Saath Jo Ladega for Mission Istaanbul which is rendered by Mika Singh and this song will be on the air shortly.

You have acted in Indra Kumar's MASTI and PYARE MOHAN but you are not seen in his other films which have followed of late.

Indra Kumar is a very genius director and classy nature. I am extremely fond of him and I am excited to do diverse roles. We do meet whenever we both get enough time for each other to share our views as I feel great in his company.

Are you very choosy for the films?

I try to sign projects that would firstly give me satisfaction as an actor and also expertise my skills and knowledge. It makes no sense in doing number of films that would not give you satisfaction as an actor.

Any film with Shyam Benegal?

I met Shyam Benegal at the IIFA awards where I got the Best Villian award for Shoot Out At Lokhandwala and he congratulated me. We did discuss films. Let's see how things work out.

You were offered a film from Prakash Jha which didn't really clicked. What was the problem?

There was a dates issues as it were clashing with the film I am doing with Karan Johar which is why the proceedings could not go further. Prakash Jha is a great director and I would definitely liken to do projects with him in future.

What about other projects?

I have signed the next film of TIPS and one film of Karan Johar which also stars Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor. I have given my consent to act in a top banner's film whose announcement will come later. Writer Tushar Hiranandani will soon direct me for his own script which is expected to be a romantic film.