by Subhash K Jha

It isn't easy to get Uday Chopra. Not that he's reclusive. But he likes to remain in his own space.

"That's why I don't get affected when people comment on my being the Yashraj scion...I'm so much into my own world. I've my own family, close circle of friends. Even when I'm working it's with friends."

"Abhishek and I bonded long before we did Dhoom together. So it was a party on the sets. And now we have Hrithik joining us in Dhoom 2. Hrithik and I have grown up together. He used to work out in my gym. Now of course he has his own gym. But we remain inseparable."

Uday is all set to steal hearts as the dude with the attitude in Arjun Sablok's Neal 'N' Nikki. In fact he's so much character that Arjun has Uday's number stored in his mobile under the name 'Gurneal Walia'—Uday's name in Neal 'N' Nikki.

"Yeah," grins Uday. "Arjun really worked hard on both me and Tanisha. I've known Arjun from the time he came to India from Canada to be an actor (he finally did become an actor with roles in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge and Dhoom, ha!) and joined Yashraj Films. I call him Arjun Bhaiyya. I'd say Neal 'N' Nikkie is what Arjun is all about. Arjun IS Neal. It's a young and trendy film with loads of attitude."

Uday says he got styled by a lady named Venus.

"My clothes, look, hair, not to mention the three torrid kisses, all come from the styling. Once I looked like Neal I began to feel like him. I remained so much in character only because I was doing one film. I won't say it was all fun and games shooting the film. It was really hard work. And throughout the long schedule in Canada I don't remember doing anything except shoot for the film."

Uday is all praise for his co-star. "I know her from the time her sister Kajol did Yeh Dillagi for our banner. In many ways I'm responsible for her being in films. When she was studying abroad and when she almost did Tara Rum Pam Pam I constantly sent her e-mail telling her she was destined to be an actress. In a way I'm responsible for her being in the movies."

So is Uday at peace with being to the banner born?

"Why not? When the banner happens to be Yashraj Films. The packaging and marketing is so good that a film automatically gets noticed. Neal 'N' Nikkie is bound to get an audience. I've done good films like Supari and Charas outside Yashraj. But they went unnoticed. It isn't just important to be good in good films. Your efforts need to be noticed."

Uday says he wants to get away from his comic image. "Maybe do a full-on action film. Even in an actioner like Dhoom I had the comic role. I do think about doinga serious role. After all I've my experience in theatre to back up my ambitions. Every actor craves to go beyond his image. I wonder if I can do that."