/> "Just because people are talking, I'm not going to stop going out with Soha," says the new defiant Kunal Khemu

Kunal who has just delivered a reasonably successful film 99, at a time when the movie business is seriously recession -hit, is in an incredibly defiant mood.

"What do people mean by going on and about me and Soha? We've done two films together. We get along well. We enjoy each other's company. There's nothing more to it. If people choose to put 2 and 2 together and make 22, we can't stop being friends."

Kunal admits he was in Delhi this week when Soha was there. "But she was there for her own work. I was there for the opening of a friend's gym."

Kunal Khemu is no longer the sweet docile kid who obeyed and observed filmy rules meekly. After sporting long beatnik hair for two years he recently cut it all out for 99.

Explains Kunal, "When I came in as a hero in Kalyug I had no choice but to find external props to look mature. Everyone commented on how baby- faced I looked. So I decided to grow a beard.

But forget a beard I didn't even have stubble! So I did the next best thing. I grew my hair really long. Finally I've gotten rid of it and I feel better because people say I look better."

With the more mature look came the link-ups. "Suddenly I'm a suitable candidate for romance. That's fine. But I'm not seeing anyone, though I may be seen in public places with someone."

It isn't flattering for Kunal to be written about his female friends at a time when he's trying hard to find a place for himself under the sun.

"It hasn't been easy for me to be an actor. Agreed I did films as a child. But everyone thought that was more a disadvantage because child actors never make it big.

I did films which I thought would work. I'm very proud of Rohit Jugraj's Superstar where I got to do a double role of a very different kind from how they're seen in our films." When that didn't work Kunal was disheartened. But not defeated.

"I really enjoy acting. To me it's like going back to play school. I wouldn't give it up for the world. When we released 99, everyone said it could go either way. People might stay away because they were in no mood to visit theatres. Or they might go because they were starved for new films. Luckily for me they went for it."

Right now, Kunal is in the process of starting two new projects. "But until the day I reach the set and the camera rolls, I'm not talking about it. There's many a slip between the camera and the action."

Any resentment about actors with half his talent racing ahead? "None at all. I won't say I'm satisfied with what I've got. But I'm happy."