By Subhash K Jha

Of late Randeep Hooda has been driving from his home in the suburbs to town much too frequently.

So ...umm ....is he seeing someone in town?

"Yes, I am," deadpans Randeep. "I'm seeing a chef at a posh hotel in town. This is for the role of a chef that I'm playing in my next film."

Randeep has been spending a lot of time in the kitchen of a 5-star hotel honing up his culinary arts, and can actually cook up quite a meal. "By now I've become a master of spices. I'm not only a specialist at food but also the body language and the general demeanour of a chef."

Randeep isn't at liberty to discuss the film or the role. But from what one hears the actor plays a chef who has a relationship with a number of ladies of varying shapes and sizes.

Laughs Randeep, "You make me sound like a very active chef. Let's put it this way. I play a guy who likes to cook up a whole lot of adventure."

One fortunate fall-out of the encounters with chef...Randeep has become the best host in town. "I can cook a fab meal and play the saxophone for dessert."