Are you affected when you’re called a meterosexual?It’s ridiculous that people associate the term with being effeminate. I enjoy oil massages and pedicures—and I don’t mind preening. Men have always cared about their looks, it’s just that we have a term now. You have found an alternate career in the restaurant business.It’s really my brother, Santino, who runs everything. But yeah, we’re planning to open another restaurant in Bandra. It’s going to have a great bar; everybody knows that it’s the bar that makes you the money. Your relationship with Bipasha Basu and the break-up was so public. Any regrets?If you shield the relationship from the media, people write lies; if you come clean, at least there’s some truth to the reports. I’ve learnt to live with it and laugh it off. Yet it does affect a relationship, both partners have to be very secure. But I say and do what I want. You’re shooting for Ishq Hai Tumse, where you’re paired opposite Bipasha. Is that hard?I do get flashbacks at times, but time heals things. Working on Gunah just after we broke up was terrible, though. Really hard. But we both matured quickly. Bipasha will always be special to me; when you share so many years with someone, it doesn’t matter if you don’t speak for a few months. She’s moved on with her life and I have too. Yet she rushed to your side in hospital after your car accident?It meant a lot that she came, but it wasn’t a surprise. She called as soon as it happened and said ‘I’m rushing there’. So I was expecting her. So what’s in the pipeline for Dino?Producers are always approaching Bipasha and me because they recognise our chemistry. So we have Saurav Shukla’s Chehra which should release in April. There’s also Ishq Hai Tumse, where I’m a Hindu boy in love with a Muslim girl, Bipasha. There’s also Plan, a testosterone-stacked action flick with Sanjay Dutt and Gumnaam, where I play a Bollywood action director opposite Mahima. Would you ever consider doing a love triangle with Bipasha and John?I’d do it if it was a good film. But I won’t let people take advantage of me. Everything isn’t about money; not at the cost of my emotions. You’re quite the water baby. Ever thought of taking the plunge underwater?No. I’d rather get married the normal way—and jump in for a swim immediately afterwards.
