With Company and Saathiya, there was a lot of potential of the next big thing but then there were a string of failures. Who do you blame for failures?
I’d like to believe that I am a man and a man blames no one but himself. One of the perks of being a man is to be able to swallow responsibility. It’s got a high of it’s own. You stand by, you say ‘I did it, it’s all mine’. It’s very easy to blame circumstances, lobbies, and conspiracy theories.

So you put it down to bad judgment?
No, I put it down to a process of growth. I’m thankful for all my failures for I have grown.

What’s the worst piece of career advice you have ever been given?
I can’t think of it.

What’s the worst rumour you have heard about yourself?
The worst rumour is yet to come.

If you were on a deserted island, what would be the three films you would take with yourself for company?
Company, The Godfather and Roman Holiday.

Which recent movie you saw made you want to be in it?
Guru. It was a fantastic film and Abhishek was brilliant in it.

Is there a person from history you would like to play?
There are many. Actually I would not like to play someone who was very big. I would rather bring to light a character not obscure but somewhere there.

When was the last time you had your heart broken?
When someone scratched my bike.

Is that your baby?
Oh, yes.

When was the last time you did something illegal?
I’m not telling. It was very recent.

What are the films you grew up on?
As a child I have watched different films at different times of my life. Like early on, I saw the Shammi Kapoor hits like Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi. Like films from the black and white era all the way to the recent ones. I even went on a diet of Mithun films at one point, which I enjoyed at that time. Movie was like milestones on my life. I grew into international cinema and trying to understand what foreign films were about. It was a whole growth.

Was there a Bollywood actress you wanted to work with?
Recently, I met Madhuri (Dixit), Mrs Nene. I was working at Yashraj and I saw her there and I just couldn’t speak. I have worked with stalwarts and very big actors and I have never been so tongue-tied in my life. I think I am very articulate. So I made up my mind to go and talk. Then someone knocked on my door and it was someone from her staff saying she’d like to say hello. I said I would love to and I went to her room to say hello and I was tongue-tied all over again.

Why, was it the dazzling beauty?
That was one woman who captivated me all my childhood and my teenage years till I was a man. And no one in my generation matches her: that beauty, the dazzling smile, the expressive eyes, the performances that she ripped out one after the other.

Was she flattered to know she had a fan there?
Yes, she must have as I was stuttering. She was very sweet and understanding. I think she was flattered. I told her it was a dream to work with her. I’m really looking forward to her new film. You’ll find me as one of the first people at the theatre to watch it.

What’s the most extravagant thing you have brought yourself with your own money?
Pride.

They say ‘Vivek Oberoi’s a misunderstood fellow.’ Is that correct?
I love that. If you are so easily understood means you are so basic. I love being layered and complicated.

Those are exciting words but how do you react to being called arrogant?
I love that. I think that’s a compliment. The people, who know me, know me. All those who don’t, don’t deserve to.