'I don't want my life or career to go up in smoke'

Akshay Kumar has a plan. He will not sign on any new film unless he completes the films he has on hand.

He will also opt for a new look. He has had his fill of dishum-dishum and singing and dancing around trees for it to hold any charm.

It's quality time for him says Subhash K Jha:

What is Andaz all about?

Well, in life, you gotta take what comes your way. Every person has his or her own way of searching for love. Some people blurt out their love when it comes to it; others hold it back. Sabke andaz apne apne [Everyone has their own style]. The film is about how three of us -- Lara Dutta, Priyanka Chopra and I -- approach love.

Beyond that, I don't want to reveal the story.

I play an air force officer. And boy, I love it! I have always dreamt of a life in the army or air force. Now I am finally getting to play an air force officer.

That is why I love acting. It lets me fulfil all my secret fantasies. In Andaz, I have done everything according to what the role requires. I have made sure I looked like an air force officer -- I cut my hair into a crew cut. I also streaked my hair in Andaz.

The South African government provided us MiGs and jets. We were allowed to shoot their air show and I got to sit in their planes. They supported us completely. It was a very fulfilling experience.

I will sport the crew cut for Madhur Bhandarkar's Aan as well since I play this straight, principled cop.

Priyanka does not act by the book. She is very spontaneous like Mumtaz was. Lara is very studied, very thoughtful and wise beyond her years. Her personality and presence will grow on viewers.

I think both girls will make a very favourable impact, not just because they are Miss World and Miss Universe but because they are good actresses.

I never thought of it that way. They were chosen by my producer Suneel Darshan and director Raj Kanwar for their suitability. I am always open to working with new directors and costars.

Lara and Priyanka have been chosen because they suit their roles completely.

This is the first time I am working with him. I must say it is quite an experience. You know what I admire the most about him? His memory.

I have worked with so many stars. But no one has the kind of photographic memory Shatruji has. He just has to look at his lines once and he has it all in his memory bank. I keep asking him to tell me what he eats to make his brain cells so sharp!

You know, it is embarrassing, but Shatruji plays my junior colleague in Aan.

Yeah. I am a DIG and he is a senior inspector. When an actor of his seniority and stature calls me Sir, I get a little awkward.

We went wrong with the script in Talaash. The plot was too slender to hold audiences for three hours. Audiences get bored seeing us men indulge in heroic acts. They want us to play characters, not just heroes. Pandrah aa gaye aur peet diya [We beat up 15 men at a time]. No way.

Even when we sing, we have to explain why we need to burst into song. I think we should stop forcing songs into the narrative if they are not needed. I want to play authentic characters like in Hera Pheri and Aankhen.

In Satish Rajwade's film Akhand, I play this cold hearted jailor in British India. If I did not agree to play the role, they would have settled for any villainous actor. But I was fascinated by the part.

Yes. I was offered the choice of two conventional heroes roles. But I found the villain's more challenging. The applause I got for my negative role in Ajnabee had nothing to do with it.

I picked what I think is the best role in the film. It feels wonderful to be go back to the 1940s and recreate the whole era through my clothes, voice and body language.

I will opt for a completely new look. I am tired of playing the larger-than-life hero. Conventional hero to yaar TV serials mein bhi dekhte hain.

I will not sign any new film until I complete what I have in hand and until I come across something that excites me like Akhand. This year, I will have no more than three, four releases.

They have not done their homework. I don't smoke AT ALL.

I don't even drink tea or coffee, leave alone cigarettes. I am very health conscious. I don't understand why they named me without verifying their facts. I would never do anything to mess around with my health. The kind of lifestyle we lead, we need to take more care of ourselves than ever before.

To me, looking after myself is more important than anything else. I don't want my life or career to go up in smoke.