Post "D" Randeep Hooda is in demand.

Not only are Bollywood directors eager to sign him, he has also drawn the attention of a foreign filmmaker. Drena De Niro, daughter of actor Robert De Niro, has featured Randeep in her film.

"Actually Drena de Niro's film, tentatively titled 'Karma, Confessions and Holi', isn't my first international assignment. 'Monsoon Wedding' was. And we all know that it remains to this day the most successful Indian film abroad. Hopefully, this one too will cause a ripple," Randeep told.

Talking about Drena, he said: "She is also acting in it. Just the thought of meeting her dad makes me go weak in my knees. That's my biggest incentive for doing this film.

"Drena's dad and I studied the same method of acting, though he believes in changing appearances for character. I don't. We here can't afford to do so. I just want to go up to him and say, 'Bob, I've been watching your films from my childhood.'

He co-stars in the film - being shot in New York and New Jersey - with girlfriend Sushmita Sen.

"The main protagonists are Sushmita and I. It's about five or six relationships and their inherent problems. But Sush and I are the catalysts."

Asked if he and Sushmita were a package deal, he shoots back: "Are you insulting me or her? Actually they approached me first. I couldn't do it at that point of time because my dates were with Ram Gopal Varma for 'Shock'. Then they approached Sushmita. But now 'Shock' has been pushed ahead. So I was able to do the film.

"Sush and I aren't a package deal. But that we're cast together is a bonus for both of us. So is fate...filled with strange coincidences. If 'Shock' was on, I wouldn't have done this one."

The cast comprises Americans, Indians and Indian Americans. "It will represent the multi-culturalism in America... It'll take me two days to acquire an American accent. I went to Australia and acquired a very sick accent. I've always been very observant from childhood."

Randeep is very proud of his performance in "D". "But I didn't get carried away. It's very important to keep your head on your shoulders. That's why I stay away from flatterers. In fact, I generally stay to myself. I've friends. But not those whom I interact with from day to day."

He wants to try out the whole spectrum of roles. "My mind is a seething playfield of ideas thoughts and emotions. That's both confining and liberating. I can't restrict myself to one role or character. I played a gangster in 'D'. I can't play the same role again..., at least not for a while. That's why I'm looking forward to Drena's film."

The producer had made a shortlist of eligible actors from India. "I'm sure 'Monsoon Wedding' swung the decision in my favour.... After that I got so much fan mail from audiences of all nationalities. They turned spiteful when I couldn't reply. I guess I'm learning to be more accessible. I'm still not comfortable with crowds. But I'll have to learn to cope up with the demands on my attention."

Randeep intends to sign more international projects.

"I want to experiment with genres and languages. There're so many aspects of me I want to share with the world. I don't want to be a serious actor. You think comedy is a joke? I want to do a comedy film. It comes naturally to me. I've done a lot of comedy in theatre."

He's on the verge of signing two Hindi films. But Randeep has said no to Shyam Benegal's "Carmen".

"It was going to be shot in November and December in Rajasthan..., it clashed with 'Shock'.... 'Carmen' is 'Carmen'. The ultimate musical! Who wouldn't want to do this legendary musical? I want to do roles with conflict. They're the only ones worth doing. I'm filled with theories on acting. Now I'm waiting to practice them."