Abhishek sent me an SMS: Vivek Oberoi

Mumbai, Oct 31 (IANS) He is single and doesn't mind flirting, but talented actor Vivek Oberoi clarifies he is not a womaniser.'I'm absolutely single. I'm not a womaniser. I do flirt. I like verbal flirting. It always backfires because if a girl reciprocates, I get scared,' Vivek, who has put the problems of his past behind him and is charting a new territory for himself in Bollywood, told IANS.

Before joining films Vivek was engaged to long-standing girlfriend Gurpreet Gill, but the two parted ways for reasons unknown. After that he dated Aishwarya Rai, who later married Abhishek Bachchan. Currently, he is not seeing anyone.

'Not that I'm afraid of commitment. My resolve to find a soul mate remains unchanged. I've always been a romantic at heart. I'm waiting for the right person. I'm waiting for an ordinary girl, who will make my life extraordinary. I'm high on this drug called life. Every day I wake up thanking god,' said the actor who started his career with hits like 'Company' and 'Saathiya'.

For quite some time Vivek's career was going downhill, but the actor re-emerged as Maya Dolas in superhit action thriller 'Shootout At Lokhandwala'.

After that he has signed some good films, including a film for Karan Johar's production house that is being directed by Resnil D'Silva. He has teamed up with Kareena Kapoor in it.

Excerpts:

Q: You went into a shell and then emerged from it lately.

A: Sometimes in life everything seems uncertain. So I began to see my life in a new perspective. I went through that defining moment of clarity. Now I'm very happy with my life. I wouldn't say I'm content because I'm very ambitious. I'm a kid in a candy store.

Q: Why are you so low profile and yet rubbing so many people the wrong way?

A: I'm not low profile any longer. For the last two months I've been accessible thanks to my last release, 'Mission Istanbul'. I don't know why there's a perception that I've gone underground. As for rubbing people the wrong way, on the contrary I find a great deal of love support and encouragement.

I've made so many new friends - Karan Johar, Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri have been extremely kind to me. Also Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, Riteish Deshmukh and Akshay Kumar have been a huge support. In fact, after my performance at IIFA (International Indian Film Academy) awards, Amitji (Amitabh Bachchan) came up to encourage me. Jaya aunty was clapping when I danced. Abhishek also sent me an SMS which was really sweet of him.

Q: What other films are you doing?

A: I'm doing Karan Johar's film directed by Rensil D'Silva and it is a brilliant role. When I read the script, my first question to Karan was, why me? He laughed and said it was because I was talented and I could pull it off. And I love working with Kareena. We share a great rapport after 'Yuva' and 'Omkara'. We share a great chemistry.

And I also look forward to working with Saifoo (Saif Ali Khan) again. I called him Langda Bhaiyya throughout 'Omkara'. And Rensil is a fantastic writer. It's going to be on right after the Tips' movie, which I'm shooting in South Africa. Then I go to New York to shoot for Karan-Rensil's film. Neither the Tips' film nor Karan's film has a title yet. I am excited about the work I'm doing.

Q: Is Vivek Oberoi single?

A: Absolutely single. I'm not a womaniser. I do flirt. I like verbal flirting. It always backfires. Because if a girl reciprocates I get scared off. Not that I'm afraid of commitment. My resolve to find a soul mate remains unchanged. I've always been a romantic at heart. I'm waiting for the right person. I'm waiting for an ordinary girl, who will make my life extraordinary. I'm high on this drug called life. Every day I wake up thanking god.

Q: Your career is not handled by your dad any more?

A: Correct. For four-five years my career hadn't stabilised. Now it has. Dad was just not able to enjoy life because he was busy looking after my career. I felt terrible, like a bad son. Now Amit Chandra's Surge Entertainment is looking after my career, but dad still has the last word. Now I'm happy to see him relax, go out with mom.

Q: Do you still live with your parents?

A: Yes, it's funny. Twice they bought me a place of my own. In three months, I ended up selling my new homes and coming back to my parents. I missed them so much. Today, I'm more sure of who I am. I don't have to try to be anything. By god's grace I continue to do good work for the underprivileged.