by Subhash K Jha

Saif left for a world tour right after the completion of Vishal Bhardwaj's Omkara. "It was organized by Anu's brother Abu Malik with Akshay Kumar, Preity Zinta, Sushmita Sen and me. It took us through April and May, I wanted it to be really cool.

We went all over the US, and parts of the UK. That tour got me the funds to buy a new place," he says. "Right now Rosa and I are staying at a rented place. We've sort of zeroed-in on a place in Juhu that we want to buy."

Saif also wants to sign new films. "Right now after Vishal's Omkara I only have Siddharth Anand's next. He's been busy writing, so I only have a rough idea of what it's all about. Then Abbas-Mastan's next and also UTV who are keen to start something new.

You know, after Rang De Basanti, where I really enjoyed the first-half, it's time to do some really different work. I remember speaking to Rakeysh Mehra once for something else that didn't grab me."

What about Saif's sister? "Soha is good in Rang De Basanti. She needs to be her own person. But sometimes I get the feeling she feels she has to act a certain way to qualify as a typical heroine. She looks uncomfortable doing that. When she acts calmly and does her delivery and accent her own way, she comes across naturally. She can't fake it."

Soha seeks Saif's advice. "But only in an indirect way. Perhaps I should sit down with her and take more interest in her work. But yeah, I need the time to do so."

Saif feels his life is coming together this year. "I feel much calmer. What's real is real. No duality and lies in my life. I'm more in charge of my life and environment."

Marriage to Rosa is definitely on the cards. "I should think so...yes. I'd like that. I wouldn't like to say when. You'll be one of the first to know. I got into this relationship with that end (marriage) in mind.

It's never been a casual let's-spend-some-time-together kind of bonding. I think some relationships are permanent from the start. A lady had once said to me that whatever relationships I've are meant to culminate in marriage."

So is Saif incapable of frivolous relationships? "I'm sure I am. But I don't want to right now. Frivolities aren't a part of my life right now. I think marrying Rosa is the right thing to do in every way.

She has made some pretty severe changes in her life...like changing her location and the entire environment around her just to be with me. I think it's a huge sacrifice. And it needs to respected."

The new power-packed confident Saif is a change from the yes-no-maybe Saif one used to know. "Well...maybe yes, no maybe," he chuckles.