Ideas like?
Ideas about a fashion line maybe, starting on my next film production after I See You, real estate, a restaurant turned into a lounge. I can dream of such ideas because my career and family lives are stable, touchwood.

Didn't your acting career almost derail at one point? 
Sure, which actor's doesn't? I felt as if I was being slapped on the face, that was my reality check. Before and after a film's release, I'd get hysterical inside, but would hide this from my family. I didn't want them to suffer with me. I was on the brink; I didn't know where life was leading me.

But you'd been through hard times before.
My nightmare days were in London where I was chasing a modeling career. Nothing happened. I went off to Amsterdam, I was sitting on some steps before the statue of some very important person, and it was covered with bird droppings. I noticed a sign under the statue, saying, "Some days, you're the statue. Some days, you're no one. So never lose hope." I didn't.

Who has been your cementing force? 
Women in my life have been an inspiration always.

Aha, tell me who?
No masala here. My mum (Gwen) and Mehr have held me together. Mum teaches English literature, she's in Deolali. When I was wild and crazy, she gave me a book to read, it was called A Boy Grows Up. We're two brothers and a sister; she has meant the world to us. And Mehr is so much more mature than I am mentally; she's very grounded and unaffected.

Weren't you engaged,at one point,to be married to a high society woman's daughter?
Dude don't say such things.

Yes or no?
You're talking like a lawyer. Yeah, sure I was engaged to be married to Kate Moss. hahaha.

Got you! How many times have you fallen in love?
Love happens once in a lifetime and I'm in love with my wife. Okay? I don't wear my heart on my sleeve, I'm not the kind of guy who kisses and tells.

You wear Prada, Armani, CK, DKNY, and the works. Aren't you thodasa zyaada fashion conscious?
Why should I deny myself the good things in life? I'm always told that my looks are my fortune. But looks aren't everything; it's important to carry yourself sharply and a mind of your own. John Abraham has been pretty sharp in his career moves.

Do you feel threatened by him?
I've never felt threatened. I don't know John too well but he seems to be a cool guy.

As a film producer, whom would you cast – John or you?
Obviously, I'd cast myself.

Over a decade ago, you compared the Look of the Year pageant. It's still remembered because you were totally wired on stage.
Oof dude, I'm an Elvis Presley fan, I wanted to be as cool as him on stage but I was attacked by stagefright. The room swung upside down. Is there any microchip that can erase that evening from my memory?

Have you been through the entire gamut of partying and drugs?
I've had my days of heavy duty partying but as far as drugs and stuff go, I haven't gone the whole nine yards. Drugs kill.

Any regrets about backing out of Rang De Basanti?
None. Things went wrong. And please. Aamir (Khan) had nothing to do with it. I just felt that the director (Rakeysh Mehra) was weakening as our discussions progressed.