/> He's in no mood to be written off. The once-hot-headed Aditya Pancholi who's infamous for his violent run-ins and controversies, is no more the impetuous rebel.

Yoga has transformed Aditay into a mellow, quietly effective householder.

Proof? Aditya has just completed a major film Chandan Arora's sporty carrom-board drama Striker in a pivotal role.

"It's a very very triumphant return for me. I play the main villain named Jaleel and the film takes my character through 25 years of his life and many upheavals in Mumbai including the Malvani communal riots.

It's the most significant role of my life," says Aditya who has lately turned down roles in Boney Kapor's Wanted and A R Murugadoss' Ghajini.

Aditya has also said no to Sanjay Gupta's Acid Factory (directed by Suparn Varma), although he got a second lease of life in Gupta's Musafir four years ago.

Coincidentally Aditya had walked off the set of Suparn's Ek Musafir Ek Hasina at the risk of incurring producer Pritish Nandy's wrath and further strengthening the belief that Aditya is 'impossible' to work with.

The actor on a comeback trail laughs mirthlessly. 'I won't say anything about the films I haven't done.

I'd rather concentrate on Striker which I'm very proud of. It has given me the creative strength to return to doing what I like best.I'm now being offered the kind of roles I want to do."

For Striker Aditya is sporting a striking new lean sinewy look. "I've lost 15 kgs.And it's because of yoga and cutting down on alcohol. I don't drink more than two pegs in the evening. Yoga takes care of the rest.I've never been to a gym in my life."

For the antagonist's part in Striker Aditya had to sport a look that went from 20 to 45. "At first the director Chandan Arora wondered how I'd carry off the young look.

When he saw me in front of the camera he wondered how I'd manage to look old.I've known Chandan from the time he was an assistant on my film Hafta Bandh in 1991. "

Aditya enjoyed working with Siddharth. "He's totally consumed by his work.Sometimes working for 20 hours at a stretch and still raring to go. I like the enthusiasm of the younger lot. This is the right time for me to return."