By Subhash K Jha

He loves working with her the most. And he's just shot a very unusual love story with her.

But Irrfan Khan has said no to Mira Nair's next with Konkona Sen in the lead. "I first said yes to her. But then when I read the script I begged off.

This was in a series of short films that for Cannes. I didn't want to go in that space of marital discord. I've had more than my share of these tales of the marital journey. I opted out."

Mira refused to let Irrfan go until she found a replacement. "But I think they got Ranvir."

On the other hand Irrfan was deeply challenged by Mira's Kosher Vegetarian where ge paired with Natalie Portman.

"We shot at one stretch. It's about two strangers meeting in unusual circumstances. Natalie Portman is about to get married. I play this Gujarati diamond merchant whose wife has become a sanyasan.

His dilemma is that she used to be his wife and now he has to worship her. Given the circumstances their encounter is quite something. Natalie looks very young. But she has been acting as a child. A truly wonderful actress. I enjoyed working with her."

So how different was it working with a caurcasian actress for the first time?

"The colour of the skin makes no difference. Whether it was Tabu or Natalie actors all over the world actors are linked by a common craving. We're all looking for challenges and glory.

Tabu and I didn't interact at all during The Namesake. She was preoccupied and casual. That's her way of working. I feel awful about the way media unecceasarily hyped her Oscar chances for The Namesake."

Speaking on the experience of shooting Kosher Vegetarian Irrfan says, "After The Namesake I've become an ardent fan of Mira the moviemaker and the person. Some things just happen.

Doing The Namesake I never thought it'd turn out this way. The pleasure of watching it is unbelievable. After Monsoon Wedding I was foolish enough to think Mira can't take it any further. In The Namesake she took her art to another level."

About being part of the satirical ensemble cast in Krazzy 4 Irrfan enthuses, "Look at how well it's doing. I need to be in films that make a profit for the producers. It's the only way I can attain a commercial viability.

Otherwise the producer won't even put my picture on the poster. At least I should be in a position where I get the kind of work I want. And I don't want to play second leads.

Why do you think Vishal Bhardwaj cast me and not Saif in Omkara although we worked so well in Maqbool? Every director would like to move forward."