Why is Akshay Kumar, who has just finished dubbing for "Aitraaz", more excited about this film than any before?

He answers with a laugh. "I have to admit I've never been more charged up about any role," he says.

"That's because the film is not similar to anything I've done. It's definitely bold, yes. And the promotional clippings on television do give out erotic signals.

"I'm not apologetic about the fact that 'Aitraaz' is more sexually charged than any film I've done," he says.

"At the same time, it isn't a hot film either. Rather, it tackles a very sensitive subject: the sexual harassment of a male employee by his female boss."

And it's not just Akshay. The whole film industry is agog about Priyanka Chopra's take on Demi Moore's "Disclosure" role as the man-eating boss.

"Yes, Priyanka has quite a role in the film. 'Aitraaz' is going to take her career to another level.

"But Kareena Kapoor, who plays my wife, is also quite a dynamite in the film. We've worked together in two other films, and each time she has taken me by surprise."

Akshay Kumar's career has been going spectacularly steady over the last few years. His last big hit was "Andaaz", which also cast Priyanka against him.

"I hope we prove lucky for each other again," he says.

But he is not willing to let the rumours about two hitting it out in real life affect his professional relationship with the actress.

"Why should I let such loose talk affect me? Everyone knows who's spreading these rumours. The target isn't me but Priyanka. I just got caught in the crossfire.

"Now that the newspaper which wrote about a public fight between me and my wife in Goa has very graciously admitted that its information was wrong, the truth is out in the open.

"My family life remains untouched by these malicious rumours," he says. "I'd rather concentrate on my career than get into useless controversies."

And right now, Akshay's focus is fully on "Aitraaz", which releases on Diwali.

"What I really like about my character is that he isn't a super-hero. When he's in crisis, he doesn't tell his wife, 'Okay, watch me take on the bad guys'.

"Instead, he takes her into confidence and fights the problem like any ordinary working-class man. I like that. I like the idea of a man seeking his family's support in crisis.

"Though my character is a fighter, he isn't unbelievable. I'd call him an ordinary man fighting an extraordinary circumstance."

The actor has great hopes pinned on the film.

"But to me, what's important is to play different characters all times," he says. "It isn't enough to just have successful films. They should also offer me a challenge as an actor. "In 'Aitraaz', I've played a role I've never done before. The same is true of my forthcoming films like Anil Sharma's 'Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo' and Vipul Shah's 'Waqt'.

"In both the movies, I'm teamed with Amitabh Bachchan, and I get to do things I haven't done earlier. At this stage of my career, success is as important as moving ahead as an actor."

Akshay had to regretfully back out of "Barsaat", being directed by one of his favourite filmmakers, Suneel Darshan.

"I'd have given anything to be in it. How can I say no to Suneel who's much more than a filmmaker to me? But unfortunately, my dates are totally jammed until next year. And Suneel had to start his film next month.

"But I'm glad my buddy, Bobby Deol, is doing the film. I'm very possessive about Suneel Darshan's films. If I had to choose the person to replace me, it would have been Bobby.

"He's my close friend. And he was my wife Twinkle's (Khanna) first co-star. Coincidentally, that film was also called 'Barsaat'," he laughs.