He is the current toast of Bollywood, having proved his acting prowess with a negative role in Humraaz. But true to his self-effacing nature, the guy is dismissive of any success that has come his way. "Eventually an actor`s own flavour determines his success, not the film," he says.

While his candour is disarming, his other concerns about life and work are more cerebral. "I don`t think we are anywhere near Hollywood when it comes to filmmaking," he says. "I would like to make myself useful to society by contributing something concrete."

And if after all this, the producers are wary of him, he is quick with a reply, "I`d rather sit at home, read a book, work out and play tennis than get into a stupid argument with them." Didn`t we say that he is truly different?