Despite making it to a list of 20 sexiest men in a poll conducted by an international movie website, the actor insists he is off sex. Want to know why?

Harayana boy Randeep Hooda has never fought shy when it comes to talking about his sex life. But the actor, whose film Once Upon A time In Mumbaai won him accolades last year, is now turning celibate.

No, he isn't heading off into the woods -- the 34 year-old actor, who recently made it to international film website IMDB's list of the 20 sexiest men in the world, has gone off sex to prepare for his role as a boxer in his upcoming film Bhivani.

Boxers are known to conserve their energy by remaining celibate through short periods of time, and Hooda wants to get into character in every sense of the word. He is focusing on building his body and is being trained by none other than Arjuna awardee Akhil Kumar.

"It's easy to say no to the men, but it kills me to say no to the ladies. I never thought I'd be able to do without female company. But the sad truth is, I'm only riding horses these days, " says Hooda, who admits he has not been in a committed relationship since his breakup with Sushmita Sen.

"I'm very clear about being in no-strings-attached relationships. I want to focus on my career, " he says. Even if that involves being "completely off female company, " adds Hooda.

The role of the boxer takes Hooda back to his roots.

"I'm a Jat from Haryana. Every other guy in Haryana is a boxer. So I was born with a boxer's physique. I only need to get thickened around my neck. That's tough though, because once you add meat to your neck, it's hard to get rid of."

Hooda has been training under boxer Akhil Kumar, a 2005 Arjuna Awardee, and champion trainer Chiranjeevi. Hooda is also excited what next month has to offer.

The actor will fly down to meet his idol and Hollywood actor Robert DeNiro, who played one of the most celebrated roles of a boxer in Martin Scorcese's 1980 film Raging Bull.

"There are some Hollywood actors who have perfected the part of the boxer, like Anthony Quinn, Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro. Sadly Quinn and Brando are no more. I'm not allowed to talk about my plans. But yes, meeting De Niro would be a dream come true."