Aftab Shivdasani has grown up from the chocolate boy that he once was. This he came to know not back home in India but during a holiday in the US and Canada where his box-office dud "Red" is fetching him praise.

So for now, Aftab has decided to concentrate on "men's films" like Sanjay Gupta's "Jazbaa", a remake of "Four Brothers" that he is currently working on. Also in hand is a sequel to "Masti", a risqué comedy that received many brickbats.

In the pipeline are E. Niwas' comedy "De Taali" with Riteish Deshmukh and Sanjay Gupta's "Love Dale" with Neha Uberoi.

Incidentally, "Love Dale" is Aftab's first film with a female director, Jasmeet. A previous venture titled "Dost" directed by Veena Mehta was shelved. The actor now wishes to work with the likes of Deepa Mehta and Mira Nair as they make films "close to his heart".

High time Aftab proved his worth in the industry or else, he might be written off before he gets to act in men's films and with female directors.