I guess it's never too late. The fact that it's happening with my film, and that too Saanvariya, a project really close to my heart, makes me proud.

This is the right time for us to go global in a big way. The world wants to reach out to us, and vice- versa.

Indians are scoring in every sphere, so why not our cinema? I'm proud that my film has flagged off this process. Q: Does this deal put an extra burden on you to deliver? A: No, not at all.

I feel every filmmaker, big or small, has a dream. And we cannot define that dream by the size of the resources available to a filmmaker.

Every film is made just once and you better give it your best shot. Saanvariya is as precious to me as my earlier films.

But this time the world will be looking at me to deliver. Now I've to live up to my own expectations, and the expectations of people who are putting so much faith in my abilities.

Q: Wouldn't it make your creativity selfconscious? A: No, challenges are always stimulating to creativity. Saanvariya will take me further than my earlier films.

Sony has chosen me to make their first Hindi film . And I feel honoured.

Now I've to give everything I've to this project. This doesn't mean Devdas or Black weren't given everything I had.

You know very well what difficulties I went through in making Devdas?or even my first film Khamoshi wasn't a cakewalk. Saanvariya will be easier to make.

It will reach out to the optimum audience in a far more organized way. Q: Do you think Devdas and Black would've been better marketed by a corporate company like Sony? A: Oh absolutely! Devdas was chosen for Cannes.

It was bought by several countries. It had the song-and-dance routine , and yet it was perceived abroad as art.

Earlier too a Hindi filmmaker like Guru Dutt was very popular abroad. But his films weren't marketed properly.

That's where my Saanvariya will score over Black and Devdas. ?Devdas did become a rage.

Aishwarya Rai became internationally known through this film. I hope my actors and technicians in Saanvariya would make the same impact.

Sony will make the marketing promotion and overall projection of my film so streamlined, I just have to concentrate on making my film (less)

That is, answer people's calls and talk to them. And every night from 10 pm for close to two weeks.

Seriously, we're not joking! BT has learned that this is not just a service the kindhearted hunk is suddenly offering his legion of teenage fans through which they may gush their love for him; it is also an experimental helpline of sorts to anyone who imagines they have a life-threatening problem that perhaps John can help them benchpress their way out of. Actually, he's been doing this sort of thing quietly for eight years.

His first cell number still remains with John. And he gets upto 400 text messages and between 1,500 and 4,000 calls on that daily from fans around the world.

"As far as is possible, I reply to and answer all of them between 2 and 4 am every morning. Before social networking came in, this was my way of remaining in touch with the world," said John.

He is, you must know, a great counsellor, having taken several nasty and cruel knocks on the chin himself during his meteoric rise in Bollywood to still remain standing. And his take on life, the way he puts its across, is simple, honest and straight from the heart.

People see through his muscularity, John had once said, they are not scared to come up to him and talk, or check out his biceps and abs! But those are die-hard and crazy John Abraham fans. They want to see him from upfront and close.

Now, the actor is willing to be as close and personal with anyone who wants to know anything — from the secrets to John's amazing body, his workout and diet details, to how he deals with failure, criticism and defeat in love, life and films, how he manages to still be a Mama's Boy despite being the darling of millions of women..

. anything! "I'm not an educated counsellor to give legitimate advice," John admitted, "but what I can do in my capacity, I would love to do.

" Incidentally, he got the idea of offering his services as a advocate for the soul from his October 15 release — Jhootha Hi Sahi , in which he plays a bookseller who uses layman's tools to tell people in distress that life is worth living — and no matter how bad it may seem at night, it gets better in the morning if you talk it out with someone. "I've learned that problems in relationships must be dealt with," John said, "because a relationship is a 24-hour, full-time job, and when something goes wrong.

..

then life becomes painful. But when you talk to someone, you share your problems with them, and if that someone is a stranger.

..

then it's more special. I want to be that someone to anyone out there who needs me.

" That's that..

. And we are sharing his number with you — it's 9892155509.

Are you lonesome tonight? 'Coz John Abraham will take calls from 10 pm tonight and every night right upto the release of Jhootha Hi Sahi. That's heart talk time.

Then it's back to showtime for the actor (less)

Salman can even cast his friends as warriors. And then there is that resemblance with Sly.

A perfect fit, we say. Who: Yin Yang Played by: Jet Li Desi replacement: Akshay Kumar Why: Yang is a master at close quarter combat who's quick on his feet and very difficult to defeat.

Expect lots of action. And where there is action, there is Akki.

Also he hasn't done a full-on action film in a while, so the audiences will lap this one up, if he's in it. Who: Lee Christmas Played by: Jason Statham Desi replacement: Saif Ali Khan Why: Lee is a former SAS and a savant with anything that has a blade.

Saif is playing a secret agent in his upcoming film and if that isn't reason enough, right now he even has a fit physique. And that Brit accent, like Statham.

Who: Gunnar Jensen Played by: Dolph Lundgren Desi replacement: Sunny Deol Why: Jensen is a combat veteran and an expert in precision sniping who struggles with his own demons. Gunnar is some one you don't want to mess with.

Have you seen Gadar? We rest our case. Who: Hale Ceasar Played by: Terry Crews Desi replacement: Sunil Shetty Why: Ceaser has known Barney for 10 years and is a long barrel weapons specialist.

His friendship with Barney has withstood the test of times. Anna is someone who stands by his friends, no matter what.

Strong, trustworthy, and dependable, we'd cast him in a second in this part. Who: Tool Played by: Mickey Rourke Desi replacement: Sanjay Dutt Why: Tool is a former Expendable, now an arms dealer and a tattoo parlour artist/owner.

He loves getting inked as much as he loves blowing up people. Dutt loves guns and tattoos.

Tailor-made, in our opinion. Who: Toll Road Played by: Randy Couture Desi replacement: Ajay Devgn Why: Road is a skilled demolitions expert and considered the intellect of the group.

If there's anyone to turn for advice to, it has to be Toll. He's the strong and silent type.

You can depend on him to be sane in the face of mayhem all around. Fits Devgn like a glove.

Who: Dan Paine Played by: Steve Austin Desi replacement: John Abraham Why: Paine is the bodyguard who protects his boss under any cost. After switching loyalties, he joins the Expendables on their mission.

He sure has the biceps for the role. And he sounds like someone whose hands we'd put our lives in, without a moment's hesitation.

Who: Mr Church Played by: Bruce Willis Desi replacement: Amitabh Bachchan Why: Church is the big boss, the man who hires the Expendables. They definitely respect him for all that he's been through.

Now isn't that a role for Mr Bachchan? Courtesy: Mid-Day.com (less)

They are the secret desires of all young hearts and they are the idols of all those who want to impress their counterparts. They are the new 'item boys' of Bollywood.

Ranbir takes an item bow "Chillar Party" was a children's flick, but dreamboat Ranbir Kapoor made his admirers groove with him in a full-on masti song and dance sequence. Dressed in a canary yellow shirt and the lips painted red with paan streaks, Ranbir Kapoor led the trend that many followed in the weeks to come.

The boy who dropped the towel in 2007 surely made his sexiness count and seemed to have come of age in 2011. SRK says chammak challo King Khan - Shah Rukh Khan had it all in him to make headlines, and headlines he did make with the most expensive film of the year - "RA.

One". The movie might have not done as well as expected at the BO but his presence was hard to miss when he shook a leg alongside Kareena Kapoor in "Chammak Challo" showing that he can just as much rock the scene as anyone else.

Akon's song went on to become the highest searched song on the internet and created ripples in the circuit. Salman's desi beats The original hunk of Bollywood ruled throughout the year with two back-to-back blockbusters.

Once again, he proved that he still rules the formulaic Hindi films. Leading from the front, Sallu had fans leaping out of their seats and shaking a leg to songs like "Character Dheela" which was one of the highest points of "Ready", followed by an enthusiastic "Dhinka Chika" and a month later, "Desi Beats" in "Bodyguard".

He was the (Sal)man of the year 2011. Aamir kehte hain Mr Perfectionist, Aamir Khan had fans grooving to 80s style song as he took on the center stage in "Delhi Belly".

Shaking his booty, he took the entire nation to the disco dance era. Dutt's the way saiyyan He refuses to lose his enigma; Sanjay Dutt was the saiyyan who scorched the screen with the Angelina Jolie lookalike Lisa Hayden in "Rascals".

Showing off his tattooed biceps, he turned the heat on in typical Sanju baba style registering yet another hit number. Ranveer shakes it too The new ladies' boy, Ranveer Singh was majboor with his aadat in "Ladies VS Ricky Bahl", donning many hats and conning all those hearts that beat faster on his style.

Akshay and John move & groove Hunks Akshay Kumar and John Abraham , made a lasting impact by their pelvic thrusts in "Desi Boyz" much to the drooling delight of their female fans . (Compiled by Abhimanyu Mishra) (less)

Yes, we are talking of the 'item boys' who've sizzled throughout the year leaving their admirers gasping for breath and then some more. They are the secret desires of all young hearts and they are the idols of all those who want to impress their counterparts.

They are the new bombshells of Bollywood. Ranbir takes an item bow Chillar Party was a children's flick, but dreamboat Ranbir Kapoor made his admirers groove with him with a full-on masti song and dance sequence.

Dressed in a canary yellow shirt and the lips painted a luscious red with paan streaks, Ranbir Kapoor led the trend that many followed in the weeks to come. The boy who dropped the towel in 2007 surely made his sexiness count and seemed to have come of age in 2011.

SRK says chammak challo The King Khan - Shah Rukh Khan had it all in him to make headlines, and headlines he made with the most expensive film of the year -RA.One.

The movie might have not done as well as expected at the BO but his presence was hard to miss when he shook his legs alongside Kareena Kapoor in Chammak Challo showing that he can just as much rock the scene as anyone else. Akon's song went on to become the highest searched song on the internet and created ripples in the circuit.

Aamir kehte hain Mr Perfectionist Aamir Khan had fans grooving to 80s style song as he took on the center stage in Delhi Belly. Shaking his booty, he took the entire nation to the disco dance era.

Dutt's the way saiyyan He refuses to lose his enigma; Sanjay Dutt was the saiyyan who scorched the screen with the Angelina Jolie lookalike Lisa Hayden in Rascals. Showing off his tattooed biceps, he turned the heat on in typical Sanju baba style registering yet another hit number.

Ranveer shakes it too The new ladies' boy, Ranveer Singh was majboor with his aadat in Ladies VS Ricky Bahl donning many caps and conning all those hearts that beat faster on his style. Akshay and John move & groove Hunks Akshay Kumar and John Abraham , made a lasting impact by their pelvic thrusts in Desi Boyz much to the drooling delight of their female fans .

Salman's desi beats The original hunk of Bollywood ruled throughout the year with two back to back blockbusters. Once again he proved that he still rules the formulaic Hindi films.

Leading from the front, Sallu had fans leaping out of their seats and shaking a leg to songs like Character Dheela which was one of the highest points of Ready, followed by an enthusiastic Dhinka Chika and a month later, Desi Beats in Bodyguard. He was the (Sal)man of the year 2011.

Compiled by Abhimanyu Mishra (less)

Abhi will gift biwi Ash a pressure cooker. Ash is tired of Abhishek and other assorted males whistling at her, so now, the pressure cooker will do the whistling.

Abhi was scouting Dadar market for a suitable brand. '' Mumbai: ?? As the economic slump continues and wallet sizes shrink, Bollywood too, has been unable to?? escape the downturn.

Here is a tongue-in-cheek look at what the stars gift each other this Valentine as the financial crisis throws its shadow on filmdom as well.?? Ash will gift a pair of yellow swim trunks to her man.

Yellow chaddis will remind Abhi of his Jiggry Poo as he calls John in the movie. Abhi will gift biwi Ash a pressure cooker.

Ash is tired of Abhishek and other assorted males whistling at her, so now, the pressure cooker will do the whistling. Abhi was scouting Dadar market for a suitable brand.

'' Sanju-Maanyata: Maanyata will gift Sanjay Dutt a dhoti as he would resemble Mahatma Gandhi in some way at least. Sanju baba can then set off on a padyatra for votes this election with the Lage Raho touch.

Maana will get a spinning machine from Sanjay. Spin a khadi dhoti for me, Maana I cannot afford an Abu-Sandeep in these lean times, Sanju says.

Ajay Devgan will present Kajol bottles of black eyeliner all named Kajal. If people can name perfumes and build Taj Mahals in the name of love, in recession, Kajal should do.

Kajs is not to be outdone in the economic stakes will present hubby Ajay with a packet of Halls sweets. Very useful after all that smokin' that hubby does.

Akshay has decided to gift biwi Twinkle a surprise dinner at Chandni Chowk in New Delhi as tickets to China are out of his budget right now (From Chandni Chowk to China). Twinkle has presented Akshay with a 'chakki' to make the wheat into flour at home.

From Akki to chakki, it is all about saving pennies in these tough times. Aamir Khan is gifting wife Kiran a visit to the tattoo parlour as she is intensely jealous of the women swooning over his tattooed biceps in Ghajini.

He says he has money for only one tattoo right now though. Kiran has gifted Aamir with a blonde wig.

She is fed up of his Ghajini look and wants a new-look man this Valentine.'''' Gauri is all set to present Shah Rukh Khan with a bicycle this Valentine.

With several car companies cutting off their endorsement payments to SRK, maybe he can practise riding bicycles instead of cars. Gauri has been gifted a bunch of carrots (gaajar) by SRK, he cannot afford diamonds with carats these days, so carrots will have to do, Gauri, he explains.

LINER LAGAO: Ajay Devgan will present Kajol bottles of black eyeliner all named Kajal. If people can name perfumes and build Taj Mahals in the name of love, in recession, Kajal should do.

Kajs is not to be outdone in the economic stakes will present hubby Ajay with a packet of Halls sweets. Very useful after all that smokin' that hubby does.

Mumbai: ?? As the economic slump continues and wallet sizes shrink, Bollywood too, has been unable to?? escape the downturn. Here is a tongue-in-cheek look at what the stars gift each other this Valentine as the financial crisis throws its shadow on filmdom as well.

?? Ash will gift a pair of yellow swim trunks to her man. Yellow chaddis will remind Abhi of his Jiggry Poo as he calls John in the movie.

Abhi will gift biwi Ash a pressure cooker. Ash is tired of Abhishek and other assorted males whistling at her, so now, the pressure cooker will do the whistling.

Abhi was scouting Dadar market for a suitable brand.'' Sanju-Maanyata: Maanyata will gift Sanjay Dutt a dhoti as he would resemble Mahatma Gandhi in some way at least.

Sanju baba can then set off on a padyatra for votes this election with the Lage Raho touch. Maana will get a spinning machine from Sanjay.

Spin a khadi dhoti for me, Maana I cannot afford an Abu-Sandeep in these lean times, Sanju says. Ajay Devgan will present Kajol bottles of black eyeliner all named Kajal.

If people can name perfumes and build Taj Mahals in the name of love, in recession, Kajal should do. Kajs is not to be outdone in the economic stakes will present hubby Ajay with a packet of Halls sweets.

Very useful after all that smokin' that hubby does. Akshay has decided to gift biwi Twinkle a surprise dinner at Chandni Chowk in New Delhi as tickets to China are out of his budget right now (From Chandni Chowk to China).

Twinkle has presented Akshay with a 'chakki' to make the wheat into flour at home. From Akki to chakki, it is all about saving pennies in these tough times.

Aamir Khan is gifting wife Kiran a visit to the tattoo parlour as she is intensely jealous of the women swooning over his tattooed biceps in Ghajini. He says he has money for only one tattoo right now though.

Kiran has gifted Aamir with a blonde wig. She is fed up of his Ghajini look and wants a new-look man this Valentine.

'''' Gauri is all set to present Shah Rukh Khan with a bicycle this Valentine. With several car companies cutting off their endorsement payments to SRK, maybe he can practise riding bicycles instead of cars.

Gauri has been gifted a bunch of carrots (gaajar) by SRK, he cannot afford diamonds with carats these days, so carrots will have to do, Gauri, he explains. Akshay has decided to gift biwi Twinkle a surprise dinner at Chandni Chowk in New Delhi as tickets to China are out of his budget right now (From Chandni Chowk to China).

Twinkle has presented Akshay with a 'chakki' to make the wheat into flour at home. From Akki to chakki, it is all about saving pennies in these tough times (less)