John brought in his birthday on 17 December in Bhuj where he was shooting for Anurag Kashyap's No Smoking.

Says John, "I spent the entire time shooting and calling up people in Mumbai to invite them for my clothes launch on Monday evening. But I managed to come back late in the night on my birthday for a private get-together with close friends. Nothing opulent."

His clothes lineup was released Monday). "My friends from the group Strings, Faizal and Bilal performed while these international and national models did modeling for my brand. Me? I was just be a good host, hopefully. I feel blessed that I've been given such an opportunity after so little time in the entertainment business."

John is happy that he's being able to use his celebrity status in a different way. "Few celebrities from the entertainment business gets such an opportunity. It's a business venture between me and Vanity Fair who manufacture denims for leading international jeans label.

For the first time in this country we're offering fashion that's on a par with anything that's happening in any part of the world. I've two designers from India and Milan. And my designs come straight from out there."

And John is an integral part of the designing. "I'm a part and parcel of every shirt, cargo pants, jeans and top that are designed for men and women. Every piece of clothing will be accompanied by a note inside the pocket describing the journey and philosophy of the design."

For John this move into clothing feels like a step in the right direction. "I've a certain philosophy in the way I wear my clothes. I've a chance now to pass on that philosophy. A lot of hard work is going into each design.

These days I speak more about my clothes brand than about myself. We recently had a fashion preview for fashion editors and clothes dealers. We had manufactured about 12,000 units.And we were sold out in an hour and a half."

John looks back on 2006 with much satisfaction. "It has been a wonderful year. My calendar and my clothes are a first of their kind. The year passed so fast. I'm now looking at next year.

And I can tell you what I won't do in 2007. I won't sign too any films. There's no point in stressing myself. I've to look good in front of the camera. I've a good mix of releases."

For the new year John will be in Mumbai. "I'll be shooting for No Smoking. Right now that's my all-consuming passion."