/> Abbas-Mustan gave him the chance to play the darkest shade of black in Humraaz. Now Akshaye Khanna turns spotless white in the directorial duo's 36 China Town.

The actor laughs pleasurably. "I enjoyed both the good and bad equally. I don't take any role I won't enjoy playing. For me, playing grey or noble are equally relevant. And why should grey be more challenging? Other actors may think so.

But that's because most actors play grey once or maybe twice in their careers. And if you play something so drastically different it will appear to be more fun. But it isn't more challenging.

What I particulary liked about my villainous character in Humraaz was that he didn't reform at the end. I hate it when the antagonist suddenly gets a sympathy angle at the end. If I played a villain I wanted to go all the way. A bad person doesn't need a reason to be bad."

For Akshaye, playing a bad man again would require a role that's really out of the way. For now, he's a all good in 36 China Town.

Akshaye is the only non-humorous character in the film. "I make a grand appearance midway. I play a principled cop. The character held my attention. What I like about Abbas-Mustan's cinema is it's stylized. Whether it was Baazigar, Badshah or my own Humraaz, the characters are never routine.

Even when you're playing a villain like Shah Rukh in Baazigar or me in Humraaz there's an edge to the character. Similarly my cop in 36 Chiantown isn't a routine character. Abbas-Mustan could've easily put me in khaki and made me behave like a zillion cops in our films.

But Abbas-Mustan like to play around with conventions. They love to glamorize and stylize their settings without going over the top. To top it all, I've never played a cop before. I always wanted to."

"I don't know why they chose no 36. but it's the address where the murder takes place, That's about it. Let's not read too much into it."

He lights up at the mention of his co-star Kareena Kapoor. "Regrettably she didn't star opposite me. Fortunately people know she's opposite Shahid. Nowadays audiences get angry if they're misled in the promos. It doesn't matter whether it's for one shot or a whole film, it's always a pleasure to work with Kareena. I'm extremely fond of her.

I think we have a deep respect for each other as professionals. And we really enjoy each other's acting on the sets and on screen. We're very similar in certain ways. We're both very transparent, not capable of hypocrisy...though she's more outspoken than me.

At the moment we've no other films together...As for Shahid, I've as many scenes with him as I've with Kareena since they're together all the time. He's a really sweet boy. Maybe because Bebo and I get along well, Shahid was very relaxed with me. In Bangkok we had a lovely time. Shahid is full of fun and energy...and very determined. He wants to look and give his best to every shot. "

Akshaye confesses he's comfortable with all his co-stars. "I love actors. It would take a really pathetic actor to put me off. I've had bad experiences. But very few. I hate actors who put on charade...As for Upen Patel I don't have much scenes with him.

I can empathize with his turmoil as a debutante. He's extremely eager to learn. That's the biggest plus for any starter. Plus he's very amiable. You can sense his ambitio. He's chosen his debut cleverly. He suits the role."

Though an ensemble cast 36 China Town features Akshaye in a pivotal role. "My character is the glue that puts the pieces of the plot together."

As for his last release... "I was extremely disappointed by the audiences' reaction to Shaadi Se Pehle. I was expecting more. Sometimes your involvement with a film automatically makes you assume audiences' too will get involved. I was wrong. The audiece is never wrong. On the flip side I must say it has recovered its money. That's the truth. But somewhere as a team we were wrong."

He's all for his producer Subhash Ghai. "This is relationship-based industry, not primarily a talent-based industry. When someone puts so much faith in you, it's a great source of strength.

I'm not saying I'm going to be in every project that Subhashji produces. But there's a bond beyond immediate gain. He's very important in my life and career. I'm sure we'll be working together again."

Akshaye's next release is Aap Ki Khatir. "Dharmesh Darshan is a hardcore commercial filmmaker. He's a walking-talking encylopaedia on Hindi cinema. And he's given such monumental successes.

I think he's going to surprise audiences again this time."