by Subhash K Jha

He's shooting for Sooraj Barjatya's new film Vivah. Shahid is a worried man. And not because he has two releases in two weeks. "No no. In fact I'm rather pleased with the way Vah! Life Ho To Aisi has been received. It's a nice cute funny fun childlike film. I really enjoyed myself doing it. And isn't my kid brother Eshan a fabulous actor?"

Shahid's worry is his lack of suitable leading ladies. "I'm really envious of the generation of heroes who came before me. They had the best of heroines to work with. But hardly anyone seems compatible with me. What am I going to do?"

Shahid is currently shooting with Amrita Rao in Vivah. She was his leading lady in last week's film and she stars with him again this week in John Mathew Mathan's Shikhar.

"Trust Mahesh Manjrekar to not stress the romantic relationship between me and Amrita in Vah! Life.....Mahesh is very much a men's director. My scenes with Sanjay Dutt have a zing about them. Luckily Amrita's totally different in all three films . In Shikhar she plays a deglamorized orphan . And since Amrita is a very good actress she can pull off the two characters in two weeks very effectively."

He's also very pleased with the character transition that he's permitted to make within two weeks.

"There I was, just playing a child-man in Vah Life Ho To Aisi. I've a much stronger graph and a far more powerful role in Shikhar . For the first time I play a character who grows . I start as a morally straight guy who takes the wrong turn in life and then returns to his right values. It's a role that should take me much further than everything I've done so far. I'd say Shikhar is my best role and film to date."

Shahid is all praise for John Matthan. "I can't say if Shikhar will do as well as John's Sarfarosh. What I'll vouch for is that both films are equally well-made, purposeful and powerful. We shall soon know the verdict."

Shahid leaves for Bali with Kareena for New Years' eve . "On the 30th when Shikhar releases. I hope I'll return to a happy new year."