/> There's something about Dino Morea. He's a survivor. In spite of two resounding flops Bhram and Anamika in a row he continues to forge a craggy path in his career.

Now after much delay he's ready to produce his own film where, naturally enough he'll cast himself in the lead. And the much hot-and-sought after Kareena Kapoor will play Dino's female lead.

The actor smarting under the double blow at the boxoffice is playing it cautious. "It's an adaptation of a very successful play from the UK. At this 'stage' I'd rather not say more because someone is always there to pull the rug from under your feet."

Last year Dino had signed Shamim Desai to direct his first feature film but was left and and dry by Desai.

Now Dino is shy. Prod him a bit more, and Dino (never very good with secrets) blurts out, "The hit play in the UK was directed by a very talented guy called Pravesh Kumar, and now I've hired him to direct my first feature film based on his own play."

The film will be based on one of Pravesh's two hit plays Deranged Marriage or Something About Simi. Dino and Kareena bonded beautifully when they shot the paint ad in Rajasthan with Karan Johar last year.

"Karan played the lead with Kareena while I was just the silent producer. I made her promise that if and when I produce a film she'd have to be my co-star. I never knew the director for my first feature film would have the same idea."

But why Kareena and not Dino's close friend Lara Dutta?

Dino explains, "Kareena suits the role perfectly. It's almost as if the role was conceived for her. She's meant to play the part. In fact the play is named after her character."

This sounds like an instant replay of Saif's first production where the director chose Deepika Padukone over Kareena because the former suited the role.

For the time being Dino has decided to cut loose from all outside assignments.

"For many years I've done films to earn money so I could buy my car house and a life in Mumbai. Now I need to build a body of work, and just my body, " Dino quips.

He has only one film on the floors. "In Acid Factory producer Sanjay Gupta and director Suparn Varma have given me a completely new look. I haven't ever grown my hair to shoulder-length. I better do it now or soon it'd be too late." Dino's co-stars in Acid Factory are Aftab Shivdasani, Fardeen Khan, Manoj Bajpai and Danny Denzongpa.

"I'm working with Danny and Manoj for the first time and what an experience! I yearn to learn from actors who know more than me. We bond really well. We have to. Because we're all supposed to be locked up in this factory from which we cannot escape."

After a moment Dino adds, "Fortunately there's an escape route to my career.Making my own films."