/> Arjun Rampal has been busy. He has had no time to spend with his wife and two children. "But after I completed my production I See You I took twenty days off to be with my family. There's no role I enjoy as much as being a husband and father."

He has just turned down two roles and has been focusing fully on production.

So then why the minuscule role in Karan Johar's Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna (KANK)?. "Yeah. But that was never my film, please remember that. Karan is a very dear friend of mine. He very honestly told me my role didn't amount to much.

But since he asked me to do it, I immediately agreed. That's the kind of person I am. I like Karan and respect his work.

Above all he's a wonderful humanbeing. He just told me, come for a holiday to New York and be part of our film. I didn't even ask him about my role."

Arjun loved KANK. "Anyone who asked me about KANK I told them it's a walk-on part. I'm glad I did it."

KANK apart Arjun has been missing from the screen. He recently opted out of Shoot Out At Lokhandwala. "See, I had to opt out of Shoot Out, I had no choice. I share a great rapport with the director Apoorva Lakhia after Ek Ajnabee.

But I was shooting for my own film in London. There were dates issues...I couldn't get Shiamak Davar to choreograph on time. So the dates for Shoot Out clashed with Apu's film. He wanted a particular look which wasn't possible because of my film.

I had long hair for my own film which I had to cut for Apu's film. It was sad because I really really wanted to work with Apoorva after Ek Ajnabee. I guess what's not meant to be won't happen."

As for Anubhav Sinha's Cash, "I injured my knee in the gym. And Cash involved a lot of action. I'm still recovering and I'm not allowed to do any action for a month at least."

Arjun is picking his parts with particular care. "I really don't want to do work that will eventually disappoint me.

I don't want to be in shabby products. I want to work with people who have the same respect for their work that I have. So yes, it's a conscious decision not to jump into any and every work that's offered to me."

Is the lack of opportunities the reason why Arjun has turned producer? "Not at all. I think it's extremely important for every actor to make films at some point in their career as soon as they know what it takes to make a film. Because production teaches you the process of filmmaking."

Arjun is very excited about his next release. "I've a very interesting role in Farhan Akhtar's Don. I'm doing Pran Saab's role. Farhan is a very interesting maker. It was a wonderful experience.

After Dil Chahta Hai I was very keen to work with him. He had offered me a small role in Lakshya which I couldn't do...I was playing another army guy in Rajiv Rai's Asambhav at that time. And I didn't want my roles and dates to clash.

Getting Don was a dream come true. It's one of my favourite films. Farhan has great visual sense. He brings a lot to the table, and he expects the actors to do the same. We jelled completely."

Tell him there have hardly been directors of Farhan's caliber in Arjun's career, and he shoots back, "How many directors of Farhan Akhtar's caliber are there? We do have a lack of topnotch directors. I'm glad Farhan's film came my way."

Arjun loved the experience of working with Shah Rukh. "I had been on a world tour. He's an incredible asset to any team, not because he's THE Shah Rukh Khan, but also because of his team spirit.

He isn't bothered with only his own part, he's also concerned with the entire cast and crew. He makes sure to bring out everyone's strengths. It's such a relief to work with an actor who's so selfless. I've an immense respect for him. And he's a dear friend."

Arjun says there's no dearth of work. "Everyone goes through phases. Right now the phase I'm in, I need exciting and challenge work. It's very important to believe in yourself and be patient. I'm very clear about what I want to do.I won't do anything and everything I'm offered."

Arjun doesn't believe the myth that models can't act. "When I came into the industry with Ashok Mehta's Moksha and Rajiv Rai's Pyar Ishq Mohabbat there was a lot of cynicism regarding models....

That they're wooden, that they seem to be modeling all the time. But I think a lot has changed since then. We've had successful model-turned-actors like John and Vidya Balan."

Finally his new role as producer. "I enjoy producing a film. I appreciate what the industry had given me. I'm grateful to the industry, and I want to give back some of what I got from it by making films."