You have achieved what very few young men have in just seven years?

I don't know whether I can say that with all my confidence. I am satisfied but not really satisfied. I am happy with what I have achieved but I am not very happy because I know that this is just the beginning I have come some distance but I know I have miles and miles to go. I cannot stop now. Stopping can put a halt to my progress. I have to keep going on, marching and taking strides. I have developed a strange hunger to find more and more challenging roles and I have to satisfy that hunger if I have to stay alive and to grow as an actor. I am not going to withdraw at any stage because of any obstacles that can come in my way.

How would you describe your career at this stage?

Every stage is a very crucial stage for an actor but there are certain stages which are very delicate. The release of "Singh is Kinng" is not just important for me. It is a film that will be watched by the entire industry. But in my heart I know that this is one film that will play a very important part in deciding what shape my career will take from now on.

How significant is your role in the film?

It is undoubtedly a very significant role, easily the most significant role of my career. I have all the scope to prove myself as an actor. I have some of the best scenes, I have songs to sing, I have a dance and I have some of the most daring scenes. In one of the action scenes, I have jumped from the 71st floor of a building. I knew it was difficult and a do or die effort. I was advised to use a double but I decided to do it myself and once I decided I jumped and thanked God when everything went perfectly well, thanks to a very co-operative and helpful team which worked with me on the scene.

Let's leave all the excitement for a while, let us talk about your past, especially your stint in the south.

I don't want to describe my own position in the South. It is for the media and the people to pass judgement on me. But one thing I am sure about and that is I have been quite successful in films made in all the major languages in the South. I have made place for myself as a good actor looking for good roles in very good films directed by some very good directors. My experience in the South has instilled in me a great deal of confidence which I never had before. I have established myself as an actor. I have also imbibed certain qualities which will always be of use to me. But the best thing about working in the South is the sense of discipline which is a part of every member of the unit from the superstar to the spot boy. Discipline can make work simple, easy and good, I realized during my stay in the South

Have you tried to learn any languages of the South?

I have tried to learn Tamil and Telugu but have still to try the other languages. I understand the meanings, the spirit and the moods of the languages but learning to speak the languages perfectly is a full time job by itself.

You must have worked with all the leading actors and directors there.

Yes, I have worked with Nagarjuna, Mahesh Babu, Vijay, Vikram, Genelia D'Souza and above all I worked with the great Rajnikant in "Chandramukhi". Working with "Rajni Sir" was like working with an institution from which you can really learn so much and the most important thing to learn from a great man is humility. Never for a moment does he give you a feeling that he is a demi God worshipped by millions. Working with him was an experience I can never forget and will always cherish. Where does a new actor get a chance to play leading role with living legend?

You must be having your own home and all the other comforts of life in Mumbai now.

By the grace God, I have a two bedroom hall flat, a shauffeur and other comforts. But I feel lonely at times and even feel sad. I wanted my mother to see all this. She had seen me in that hole of a room. She would have been delighted to see me in my own house. There is another incident I remember when I think about my mother. She was not very sure about what I was really doing till she saw me shooting for "Jodhaa Akbar". The scenes that were shot with me and the way treated on the sets made her very happy. I was waiting to show her entire film. But she went back to Punjab and three days later I was shocked beyond understanding when I was told that she was dead. I went home but there was no mother and no home without mother. Life had lost all meaning for me. Then after many days of thinking I decided to give all I could to my profession and work and grow into a better actor to give her soul all the satisfaction which I could not give her in life. I am whatever I am today all because of my mother's blessings and I am doing as well as I am because of her, Thank You, Maa.

Who are the directors you have loved working with?

I have always believed that the director is the captain. A great captain is the best thing to happen to a film and I have been very lucky to work with directors like Mani Ratnam, Ashutosh Gowariker and Anees Bazmee. I had also spoken with Rajshree who are making "Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi" and I have also loved working with some of the best directors of both the old and new generations. Watching and observing these directors at work is some kind of education by itself.

How would you describe yourself as an actor in demand now?

All I can say is that I have decided to work to the best of my ability and be a very good and hard working student learning to be a good actor all the time.

You write poetry and also maintain a dairy.

Poetry is the best way of expressing your own most private thoughts. I keep writing poetry whenever a subject inspires me. My dairy records my growth as an actor. It is my reference book whenever I have to know where I am heading as an actor.

Which are the films you are doing?

I am waiting to start work in a film called "Dhoondte Reh Jaoge" in which I am working with Paresh Rawal, Rajshree's "Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi", "Sahab Chai Pani" and I am talking to several other filmmakers who have offered me major roles in their films. I am concentrating on my characters and roles and will not sign any end and every film till I am fully satisfied.