I'm about being different, says John

Mumbai: Actor John Abraham is trying to essay a wide variety of roles.

He has recently wrapped up Anurag Anurag Kashyap's No Smoking in which he plays a chain smoker trying to quit smoking and in Nagesh Kukunoor's Aashayein he will be seen as a gambler.

"You know, John Abraham is about being different. And I want to work with directors who will present me differently. Anurag Basu is someone I'd like to work with again and again," said John.

He is quite impressed with Anurag Kashyap, who has directed him in No Smoking, and describes him as a "volcano about to erupt".

"I've just seen the film and I must say I am very proud of it. Anurag is a genius. I'm so confident about this film. This is the kind of cinema I always wanted to do. This is a very special film," said John who played a Gandhian in Deepa Mehta's Oscar nominated Water.

The actor has also adopted the one-film-at-a-time mantra.

"After three months in England I'll again disappear for two months from Mumbai, this time to South India for Aashayein. We'll wrap it up in one schedule. That's how I'll work from now on. One film at a time."

John has no girl starring opposite him in Aashayein. "The plot revolves around me. Isn't that nice for a change? I hope audiences won't get bored watching me. I'm totally excited about working with Nagesh."

Asked if big production houses are upset by his refusal to do assignments like Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, John said: "I wouldn't like to comment on that. But I'd like to say I'm really grateful to Aditya Chopra for giving me Dhoom, which turned around my career.

"As for big production houses being unhappy with me, what about UTV? They've a lot of faith in me. Isn't UTV big? I think Metro is a lovely film. I'd love to work with Anurag again."