/> The formidable SRK-Karan Johar team which has teamed up for four feature films Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kal Ho Na Ho and Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, is at it again.

Karan confirms, "Yes, we are teaming up again. But it isn't for a film. It's for an ad....my first ad." Strangely enough, Karan acted in his first ad just a fortnight ago. "I know," he grins. "And now I'm directing my first ad, and that too with my favourite actor...One more facet to my persona.

Advertising was one of my main career choices before I became a feature filmmaker. I guess it's coming around. Endorsing a product is something I never thought I'd do. But I did.

Now after dabbling in television it's this. Good, I like doing everthing. You live only once and you need to undergo multi-experiences during that one lifetime. Hopefully I don't become the jack of all trades."

Karan braces himself for the new experience. "It's my first ad, and I'm very very nervous. Shah Rukh's company Red Chillies is producing the ad for Airtel. It's an overseas campaign."

Karan isn't nervous without a reason. "I'm used to telling stories in three hours. How do I do it in thirty seconds? As you've seen it does take me a while to tell a story. Hopefully it will be the shortest film I'll ever make."

Hungry for new experiences Karan sees the leap into ad-direction as yet adventure. "The world of advertising is very different from the world of films, far more intricate. You know, I've almost taken up a number of assignments to direct an ad, then backed out at the last minute. This time I just decided to take the plunge. How bad can it be anyway?"

The script has been given to Karan. "But it required minor tweaks. I've never directed someone else's script. But it's a sweet concept. And it has Shah Rukh in it, so I'll be comfortable. It's two-day shoot."

Next, Karan leaves to address Wharton University in the US. "It an economic forum. I'm going there to chat about the future of India and the Indian cinema vis-à-vis media and entertainment. I'll be talking about the potential of our faternity to make a difference in the global context.

Do you know, we're the only filmmaking nation that has survived without any money from foreign studios."

"This is on November 10 and 11. Now I've another career option as an academician. They say when you can't cope with the real world you talk about it," Karan jokes.

As for rumours about his next feature film... "Of course I want to start. Every day there's a new idea and every night I abandon it. I'm waiting for one idea to stick. I'm hoping all my various travels will help me decide what to make next.

In the meanwhile I want my production house to get busier. I'm meeting directors and reading scripts in the hope of signing them on for my production house. Soham Shah and Tarun Mansukhani are expected to start their films next year."

Karan sighs. "I also have Koffee With Karan coming back on air in January 2007. Life goes on. Life is beautiful...and busy."