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Yes, the reticent Akshaye Khanna turning talkative certainly makes news - especially when you’re used to his one liner answers. But at a recent talk show, the actor was literally talking nineteen to the dozen. When everyone began calling him and complimenting him about his new avatar, he merely grinned and said, “I only did it to win the prize for the best talker on the show.” So now if you see him reverting to his ‘man of few words’ image, maybe you can get him to talk by offering him a prize, what say? We’re certainly going to try that one out!

Akshaye Khanna is a confused man these days. He cannot understand why people want him to be more controversial than he is. “Somebody asked me a few days back why I am not involved in any controversy! Isn’t that the strangest thing to ask?” he asks. Then he goes on to explain, “Call me boring, but I can’t handle negative situations. Even in my personal life, I can’t bear to have bad feelings. I get very uncomfortable with negativity or if anything is left unsaid. Everything should be clear and on the table.”

So, Akshaye likes a simple life? “That’s it,” he smiles, “My work is my hobby and, if I am not on the sets, I am at home or with a bunch of very close friends. Or, I am on the computer playing games, or watching TV, or reading. I don’t go out a lot. I hate partying or going to crowded places. I am actually a shy guy, and take time to warm up to people.”

Maybe that’s the reason why he is still single. “No, that’s because I am happy being single. I am still young, and want to enjoy my life my way. I don’t think being committed is the be-all and end-all of life. Why do you have to be in a relationship all the time? I am not looking for love - if it happens, fine.”

And then, he goes on to explain another side effect of not being in love. “Being single and an actor is a deadly combo. Obviously, girls hit on me all the time. Then I have to hit on them - what to do?” he laughs.

He’s urbane, cool and hip, alright. But Akshaye Khanna has seldom done an image make-over, sticking to his trademark style for movies, parties, et al. We’re gonna witness a refreshing change soon though. In the Abbas-Mastan thriller, Naqaab, his stylist, Falguni Thakore insisted on refurbishing his wardrobe and has given him a totally metro-sexual look. “I’ve used a lot of metro-sexual colours - from pink and orange to yellow. Also the light fabric gives him that breezy, cool look. He has an amazing personality, so I didn’t want to make him look boyish or overthe-top. He hasn’t worn too many cargo pants on-screen before, but in this film you’ll see him sporting that. He’s the metro-sexual man of today, after all,” says the designer. Well, behind that naqaab, there’s lots to unravel.

He’s intense and intelligent. So it’s easy to imagine why actor Akshaye Khanna is good at the game of chess. This shatranj ka khiladi is so crazy about the game, that he had the entire cast and crew of Naqaab play chess with him while on shooting schedules. “He is a master at chess and defeats everybody. I think he can somehow read the opponent’s mind and has the ability to think five steps ahead,” informs a unit member. Well, here’s one more reason why the women find this intelligent guy irresistible.

There’s something about Akshaye Khanna that makes all his heroines swear by him. Each and every leading lady who has worked with the actor can’t get enough of him. First it was Ayesha Takia who kept gushing about the actor and has even signed another movie with him. Then it was his Aap Ki Khatir co-star, Priyanka Chopra, who was utterly charmed by him and has happily signed on the dotted line for another flick. Now, one of his earliest heroines, Aishwarya Rai, who had acted with him in Aa Ab Laut Chalen, is also doing a film opposite Akshaye, to be produced by Anil Kapoor. And all this ‘charm’ has resurfaced post his New York holiday and his new found bachelor status post his break-up with Tara Sharma. Akshaye is happily basking in his newfound single status; and seemingly enjoying every bit of it. He’s fitter and more extrovert since his return. So was it New York? Or is there just ’something’ about Akshaye?

Akshaye Khanna is in New York. But before he left for his mini-vacation, the actor had a dekko of his next release titled Aap Ki Khatir, and his new look in the film has been appreciated by many from the industry. The guy plays a flamboyant character as opposed to the more simple character roles we’ve seen him in. Akshaye says, “I love to experiment with my looks and characters.” Though actors these days have switched to quality from quantity, Akshaye is one actor who hasn’t been regularly seen on screen. “People may say that I’m too choosy and selective but then I have to be convinced, only then can I deliver my best.” So all you writers out there, script some great stuff please.