So what's your take on Karthik Calling Karthik?
It's the story of a guy called Karthik, an introvert, low on confidence and self belief. Then he gets one mysterious phone call from a guy who's also called Karthik, who says, 'I'll change your life'. And it does. The one thing he most wants is this girl, Shonali. They get together and eventually find out who this other Karthik is.

There are dark overtones to the movie...
It's got elements of mystery for sure. Mystery of course lends itself to being relatively dark. Because you're building suspense, keeping people on the edge. There's also the possibility of this new Karthik intending to do something evil. It has portions that are creepy. And though it's a very on-the-edge-of-the-seat kind of thriller it's not morbid but entertaining. It does get into a slightly serious zone in the second half. But mainly it's about this boy and girl.

There was talk that your director Vijay Lalwani was behind the rumours. That he started them as a publicity stunt for his movie.
He called me up when he read that. He was shattered. He was like now they're blaming me. He's so new, he doesn't know anything. I told him to be prepared for anything. He was like we should issue a statement. I told him don't react, don't bother about these things. They don't matter. I told him the two people who'd be most upset with you, if they believed it, would be Deepika and me. I don't believe it and she doesn't either. So why worry. Just let it go.

Is there a code you live by?
If at all there were to be a code to live by, it would be never to be happy to give your second best. It's one thing to get a job done and another to get a job done the way it deserves to be done. I'm not happy just getting the job done. If you're going to take up something, it could be anything filmmaking, parenting, friendship, you have to give it your 100 per cent.

If you were to spend a weekend with a celebrity, who would it be?
I love hanging out with guys. And that sort of comes through in my movies as well. So I probably love to hang out with Hrithik (Roshan), Shah Rukh (Khan), Arjun (Rampal), play video games, pool and just chillax.

Have you ever wanted to throw an egg at someone?
There are many people who deserve to be thrown an egg at. But If I ever feel like throwing an egg at someone, I'd rather do something more violent. Where do you start? Something has to be done about people who take advantage of children. It shocks, scares and disgusts me. And it's so prevalent. But this is getting serious. Let's have fun. (Grins) When people say bad things about my movies, I want to chuck eggs at them. And when they say good things about my movies, I want to break that egg and make them an omelette.

How do your daughters view you on screen?
They get quite excited. Especially Shakia. Of course, I wasn't on TV when she was growing up. So after eight years of knowing me as someone who's behind the scenes, she was excited to see me on television. The younger one is very casual about it. She's seen me all along.

What role has Adhuna played in your success?
I have her support 100 per cent and she has faith in my beliefs. When talk of doing Rock On!! started, it was very important for me that she be supportive of it. I was going into a very different area. See, when you're a director, you are a public personality at one level but you can still choose to be a private person. And for some strange reason people are okay with it. But an actor can't be private. To suddenly move from the place where you have your privacy, your anonymity to a zone where a lot more people would now be focusing on you was a big step. So it was important for me that she understands and is supportive of it. And be prepared for the kind of stuff we spoke about earlier. We've seen it happen to everyone. So there's no escaping it. What we share cannot be affected by what people say. She has a bustling career; she is considered one of the pioneers in hair styling. It's commendable how she balances all her roles. I'm eternally grateful to her.

Which is your favourite dialogue?
There are so many. There's so much written. It would be difficult to choose. I can tell you what's probably the nicest dialogue from my movie. It would be 'Cake khane ke liye hum kahin bhi ja sakte hain' from Dil Chahta Hai. It's the defining line about the kind of lifestyle youngsters have.

One role you'd give your right arm for?
Actually, I'll tell you a role I'd give my right and left arm for. (Chortles) It's Thakur from Sholay. He didn't have any arms.

What are the three words you'd use to describe yourself?
There are certain things I'd like to believe about myself — I'm funny, I'm punctual and I'm an adventure seeker.