That was the beginning. Then came the split with then girlfriend Priyanka Chopra.

Soon, everything changed. Suddenly, the boy who didn't drink or socialise began partying.

Hard. The guy who had longterm relationships was, within a short span of a few months, linked to Anushka Sharma, Bipasha Basu and Nargis Fakhri.

The workaholic then took off for a vacation with his buddies. And finally, there was his "naked birthday" in Goa - a three-day pool party that began trending on Twitter after pictures of him and some babes in bikinis surfaced on the internet.

Shahid is suddenly sexy, with a fan following of 1.21 million on his micro blogging account.

Singledom seems to suit him. Over a cup of cold coffee, he answers questions on love, life and the ladies.

..

You've become suddenly sexy! What's changed? I've been sexy for a while (grins). Ever since I crossed 30, women have started taking me seriously.

Until now, my target audience was school-going girls! Does the sexy vibe have something to do with being single? No. I think it's because I've stopped shaving for a while, so maybe the stubble is helping.

And I think this unemployed vibe I have right now is working for me. When you have to work, you have to look proper, and you have time for very little apart from shooting.

There's something different about you..

. I think I have changed over the last four years.

Also, I've been living on my own and doing my own thing..

. Haven't you been living on your own for years now? Yes, I mean kind of.

..

for the past six years I've had my own apartment. What are the other changes? Oh God, you are asking me to analyse myself! I think I've become more relaxed and laidback.

Earlier, I was very fixed in my ways. I used to only go with what I wanted.

Now I go with what other people want and, it's an easier ride. You have to believe in whatever you do workwise, but it's wonderful to go with someone else's vision because it's liberating.

As an actor, it's a beautiful place to be in. And in my personal space, I've become more social.

..

What made you more social? Nagging ex girlfriends? No! (laughs) It's just a natural change. I can't define it, but I think with age you realise that I prefer being this way.

I can't analyse why. Your former girlfriends call you boring! See, this is what happens when you don't defend yourself and only one side's version is put across.

No one knew me, so they believed whatever they heard. I was always a well-behaved boyfriend, which I am not anymore.

Yes, you are the new bad boy, with lots of link-ups! That's because I was in a very public relationship for a long time, after which I haven't been in one. I also don't talk about my personal life anymore, so everybody wants to know what the hell is going on.

Since speculation is on, I'm being linked to any woman I am seen with. But nobody knows what's really happening, which works for me! You are happy being single? Very happy! You always seemed to be a guy who preferred a relationship to a romp.

(Smiles) I've kind of discovered myself in the last year-and-a-half. I've learnt to enjoy 'me' time and do stuff that I want to do.

I haven't been working much of late. In the last eight years of my career, I have worked on an average of 320 days a year.

After Mausam, I was supposed to start a film but it got pushed to the end of the year, which left me unemployed. I am hating it, I've come to realise I love working.

It's my first love. I feel incomplete without it.

The last I was on a set was three months ago. That's really long! You began working at 16, so you've earned a break! I am a workaholic.

But this time-out has its plus side. I have had a lot of time with myself, friends, family and just chill.

I have met lots of interesing people from different walks of life. I think I have experienced a lot more.

As an actor you tend to live in a really small world which is not very healthy. It is enriching to go to new places, meet different people know and learn about things which you didn't know about.

. You took off for a holiday, too! Yeah, I did a holiday in Barcelona with three boys.

We had a banging two-week vacation. Pun intended? (laughs) Take it how you will, no it was the best boys' vacation I have been on.

One gets the feeling that you are now easier on yourself. True? I am very passionate about what I do, I give it 200 per cent, and I don't think it will ever change.

But I've realised that as an actor you have to give it your best and let it go. That's the most difficult journey and it comes with time.

When you start out, there's so much eagerness, excitement, and you want all that appreciation to come your way. But with time, you come to realise that you cannot chose to make things go in any particular direction.

Every film has its own journey and it works/ doesn't work for so many reasons..

. It's important just to enjoy work without worrying about other stuff.

I am at more peace with myself. I just go with the flow.

I don't judge myself all the time. How do you remember Mausam? I always smile when I remember Mausam.

The first memory of the film is that I got to spend two years with my family and work at the same time. My parents separated when I was very young so I never got that kind of time with my dad and the entire family.

I am definitely dissatisfied with how it was recieved. Cop films are big these days.

Wanna wear a uniform and grow a moustache? I grew a moustache and are a uniform (air force officer) in Mausam. I have done 18 films, and have completed eight years in the industry.

Now, I feel that, as an actor, I am ready to attempt everything - action, romance, comedy, an off-beat film, or even a full-on massy film, because I've learnt to enjoy these films. But there are still some films, that I don't understand.

They make lot of money and I wonder, 'Yeh kya hai'?. What kind of roles are coming your way? All kinds - from a rustic guy, to a mentally challenged person, to an underdog, to a politician.

When they feel you are good in comedy, they offer you comic roles, and you choose the best. But it gets difficult when you are offered everything and it's up to you to choose what kind of films you want to do.

That's because you are considered a good actor. I thought I was okay in my first film, and then I was really, really bad in some films.

I really cringe when I see some of my scenes. There's a scene in one film where a dog is biting me, the expressions I have made should be qualified as the most over-acted scene in the history of the cinema.

The dog's expressions were more real than mine. I was going bananas! Speaking of bananas.

..

Let's talk about your naked birthday..

. That is Atul Kasbekar's fault, who decided to turn me into a calendar model.

About 30 of us went to Goa. We booked the whole place, there were around 20 rooms; all my friends were there.

We had a 24-hour DJ who played music from noon till 2 am in the morning. It was a three-day pool party.

As for the girls in bikinis, they wore them for obvious reasons. (Grins) I requested everyone to be in their saris and pyjamas but they refused.

Eventually, all of them wore swimsuits and shorts. I had a great time.

It was the most fun birthday I have had. As the whole place was just ours, I could let myself go.

Your next film is with Priyanka. Any awkwardness? Not at all.

It was all very smooth and comfortable. You decided to work with PC and haven't worked with your first ex Kareena Kapoor yet.

How so? But we haven't been offered a film together (less)

One of the item numbers which Kapoor will be doing in 'Heroine' is believed to be called 'Halkat Jawani' (less)

So when opportunity presented itself, she was happy to pay a tribute to one of Sharmila's most remembered roles; a role for which she won a National Award. Commenting on the topic, Madhur Bhandarkar said, "Actually I'm a huge Gulzar saab fan and I wanted Bebo to pay a tribute to Gulzar saab in this scene.

It is a happy coincidence that it's a film that had a respected actress like Sharmila Tagore." Madhur also adds, "Yes, Bebo has done a perfect take-off of that Mausam character with cigarette and gaalis intact.

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They still maintain that they are good friends. However, they did ask for a few passes for the music festival.

So looks like they have no qualms about being pictured or spotted together." The music festival has become one of the favourite haunts of real-life celebrity couples, who would otherwise keep their relationships under wraps.

Last year, Rana and Trisha were spotted letting their hair down at the festival. Prateik and Amy Jackson too danced their nights, grooving to the music.

Now it looks like Shazahn and Akhil are following the tradition. Adds the source, "It's too early to talk about the relationship and that's perhaps why they are being discreet about it.

" Interestingly, though she has already made her B-town debut, Akhil is yet to set foot into the industry and clearly publicity of this kind could work in his favour. Adds the source, "Akhil is actor Vinod Khanna's nephew and he will be seen in a film opposite Govinda's daughter very soon.

He and Shazahn have known each other for a while now and they are most definitely more than just good friends." Shazahn remained unavailable for comment.

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Priyanka Chopra and Ram Gopal Varma don?t feature in the guest list of over 300 invitees. Ram Gopal Varma?s exclusion is no surprise.

The two filmmakers – Ramu and Karan Johar have not seen eye to eye and have spared no opportunity to take digs at each other in the past. However, the fact that Priyanka also failed to make it to the list comes as a shocker.

Recently, there ensued a war of words between the two. After so-called friends of Priyanka went to press against Gauri Khan and gang, Karan vent his anger on Twitter against Priyanka.

Karan has invited Sanjay Leela Bhansali with whom he had a tiff recently. In fact, he has invited all his friends from the industry.

However, his good friend Arjun Rampal, Sonam Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai will not be able to attend the party due to prior commitments. This party will be one of those rare occasions to see the three Khans – Shah Rukh, Aamir and Salman under one roof.

Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor will bump into each other. Deepika Padukone will have to share space with ex-boyfriend Sidhartha Mallya.

John Abraham and Bipasha Basu too will be present at the party together. Posted in (less)

And good friend Manish Malhotra is busy chalking out the details of Karan Johar's birthday bash. But there are two people who are going to miss out on what is being touted as the most happening party of recent times.

With the guest list now ready, we found out that Priyanka Chopra and Ram Gopal Varma don't feature in it at all. The actress and the filmmaker will not get to see the cards that are being printed specially in New Delhi.

Gopal Varma's exclusion doesn't really come as a surprise. The two filmmakers - Ramu and KJo have spared no opportunity to take digs at each other in the past.

However, the fact that Priyanka also failed to make it to the list of over 300 invitees comes as a shocker. While it is known that the filmmaker hasn't been too happy with his Dostana actress of late, dropping her altogether from his birthday party goes on to show just how miffed Karan is with her.

Clearly, Karan isn't too keen on waving the white flag to either Ramu or Priyanka. But there's one man he is willing to extend the olive branch.

A source told us, "Karan has invited Sanjay Leela Bhansali with whom he had a tiff recently. In fact, he has invited all his friends from the industry.

However, his good friend Arjun Rampal , Sonam Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai will not be able to attend the party due to prior commitments." Interestingly, this party will be one of those rare occasions to see the three Khans - Shah Rukh, Aamir and Salman under one roof.

And this is just for starters. For the main course, true to his mainstream masala movie style, KJo's bash will have Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor bumping into each other.

Similarly, Deepika Padukone will have to share space with her ex-boyfriend Sidhartha Mallya. And that's surely not all.

John Abraham and Bipasha Basu too will be present at the party together. We hope that like his films, his party too ends with a happily ever after (less)

The film will hit the screens on March 23. "There are no plans for marriage as of yet.

We are just concentrating on the release of the film and our career right now," Kareena said. She also said they are not planning to get formally engaged Feb 10.

"It's completely false, there are no such plans." Bebo was in the capital to promote her forthcoming film Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu , which is releasing Friday, along with her co-star Imran Khan and director Shakun Batra.

But Imran, known for his witty replies, joked, "(Kareena and Saif will get married) one week after the release of Agent Vinod and that's April 1st, the April Fool's Day." He looked at Kareena and added: "You could have taken my answer, it would definitely have made headlines.

" (With IANS inputs) The actress was in the capital to promote her forthcoming film Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu , which is releasing Friday, along with her co-star Imran Khan and director Shakun Batra. Ever since Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D'Souza have tied the knot, Kareena has been stormed with questions about her marriage plans.

When asked, she Dodged the question saying, "There are no plans as of now. We are only looking forward to the release of 'Agent Vinod'.

It will release in March." But Imran, known for his witty replies, joked, "(Kareena and Saif will get married) one week after the release of Agent Vinod and that's April 1st, the April Fool's Day.

" He looked at Kareena and added: "You could have taken my answer, it would definitely have made headlines." Tweet (less)

He is likely to be accompanied by his designer friend Rohit Bal . The actor had recently expressed a desire to showcase his upcoming film " Heroine " at the Cannes Film Festival.

"I would love to be (a part of Cannes festival). That is a film that deserves to be there.

If 'Heroine' can be showcased there, it will be great," said Arjun. Directed by Madhur Bhandarkar and co-produced by Ronnie Screwvala and Bhandarkar, the film has Kareena Kapoor and Arjun in the lead roles.

Randeep Hooda and Shahana Goswami will also be seen in pivotal roles. "Heroine" was announced with Aishwarya at the festival last year.

But she opted out of the film due to her pregnancy. The director had to replace her with Kareena Kapoor.

However, to keep the red carpet tradition alive, Aishwarya is most likely to grace the French film festival again this time. She has been attending the festival since 2002 as the global face of L'Oreal.

Like Aishwarya, actress Mallika Sherawat has been a regular at the Cannes red carpet, but whether she will attend the gala this year or not is still a mystery. Bipasha may also attend the festival to promote her debut international movie "Singularity".

Based on the first Anglo-Maratha war of 18th century colonial India, this romantic movie also marks the Hollywood debut of actor Abhay Deol . This is not the first time that Bipasha would be attending the festival.

In 2007, she walked the red carpet to promote her film "Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal", along with her co-star and her then boyfriend John Abraham . Directed by Roland Joffe, "Singularity" has been lined up to be showcased at the Cannes film fest as part of a promotional drive.

The year 2009 saw Karan Johar attending the festival to represent a lifestyle brand. The subsequent year saw Deepika Padukone making her presence felt in traditional Indian wear as the face of a liquor brand.

In 2011, Sonam Kapoor , Minissha Lamba and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra walked the red carpet. While Sonam and Minissha were representing the brands they endorse, Mehra's docu-drama "Bollywood-The Greatest Love Story Ever Told" was screened at the event (less)

Yet people continue to speculate." Soha's mom, Sharmila Tagore, has apparently gifted the couple an apartment, where Soha and Kunal are expected to move in to post marriage.

Soha is reportedly living in with Kunal, but she denies it. Meanwhile, on the work front, the actor has been signed up for the sequel of Tigmanshu Dhulia's 'Sahib Biwi Aur Gangster', in which she plays Irrfan Khan's wife.

The character in the film has been styled along the lines of the role that Sharmila Tagore portrayed in Anupama - that of a suppressed daughter. Soha is kicked about getting the opportunity to act opposite Irrfan again, after 'Dil Kabaddi'.

"Acting is like playing a sport. When the person paired opposite you is talented, the game becomes interesting," says Soha.

And while acting is priority now, Soha too wants to turn producer some day, like bro Saif. "I want to turn producer, but right now, I see a lot of potential in the films that I am acting in," she says and adds, "The nature of our profession is very unstable, so we cannot plan anything based on the income we draw as it's not regular.

I totally support it when big actors venture out into production; it makes sense to have a back-up plan." And the back-up plan would include making the most of opportunities.

"When the going is good, it makes sense to cash in. Brand endorsements or making appearances are good image-building tools, as long as you are being selective.

Sometimes filmmakers cast you in films depending on how much you are being written about or seen around," she signs off (less)

After a largely successful career in the modelling world, he went on doing daily soaps like Kyunki Saans Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kavyanjali, Kasauti Zindagi Ki. Pradeep 's new release Jodi Breakers was with south superstar Madhavan and sexy Bipasha Basu where he played a role of a boxer .

We talk time him on the film and more..

. How has the journey been so far? I started my journey as a model and have been a successful model for quite some time.

I have been walking the ramp and have even done television commercials where I have worked with Aamir Khan and Katrina Kaif. My modelling days taught me a lot and I can never forget them.

And also one can't deny the fact that modelling is good money and one needs that for the struggle in the industry. How did Television happen? As a creative person one should always look forward, so after doing modelling I was thinking of what next? Then Ekta Kapoor gave me a chance in Kyunki Saans Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi where I played the character of Tushar and then later on I had worked in Kavyanjali and Kasauti Zindegi Ki - in my both shows I have played Shlok and Shravan respectively and I enjoyed my stint on television.

Working on television can gives an actor lots of creativity, one can learn the patience and dedication. Working on a daliy format was quite challenging I must say.

So it was quite obvious for you to shift to films? Yes as I wanted to pursue a career in films for some time. My film journey satrted with Sudhir Mishra's critically acclaimed film Khoya Khoya Chand where I played the role of a young hero.

The movie was based on the film industry. Later on I have done films Ek, The Power Of One, Fashion and Ajab Prem Ki Gajab Kahani.

In Fashion though I had a very small appearance as Kangana Ranaut's crazy boyfriend, it had a good impact. In Ajab Prem Ki Gajab Kahani played the role of Tony Breganza whom Katrina was about to marry.

I am happy that the roles which I have done so far are not easy to forget and most importantly the directors with whom I had worked like Sudhir Mishra, Raj Kumar Santoshi and Madhur Bhandarkar are all marvelous. I feel blessed to have worked with them.

Your experience in the film Jodi Breakers? Bipasha Basu and Madhavan are great human beings and it was a pleasant experience for me to work with them. For Madhavan I can say he is a selfless actor who never used to give importance to his screen space.

He was always worried about the final outcome of any scene. He put in a lot of effort on the quality of a scene.

I find this to be a unique quality he has (less)