Are you a chauvinist or a liberal?

If I have to force a woman to be just mine, will she actually be mine? I believe in being and letting be.

What is the first thing you notice in a woman?

Her sensuality and femininity.

At what age did you become aware of the opposite sex?

In the third standard. I remember her wearing a chequered skirt. I would hold her hand and slip under the bed. I couldn’t do anything though (laughs).

Was she your first crush?

I guess so because I also remember kissing her for the first time in the almirah. She behaved as if nothing had happened. I didn’t even say sorry to her.

Do you like flirting with women?

I love flirting with women. I can’t be flirting at the age of 50; this is the time.

Have you ever been awkward in the company of women?

All the while. Even today, I am not comfortable in women’s company, especially when they are pretty okay with a lot of things. I am still a small-town guy. When I meet women, I still can’t take the initiative of hugging them and giving them a kiss, though being an actor every third girl who meets me, shakes hands and hugs me.

Are you commitment phobic?

I can’t get into frivolous relationships. I can’t see a woman for a month and move on to another woman. I would rather have flings which last a day or two. Relationships are for keeps.

Who is the perfect woman for you?

The one who makes me feel on top of the world when I wake up with her in the morning.

Would you marry an actress?

No. I would want my woman to be from a different profession because that will add variety.

How many relationships have you had in the past?

I had two relationships but both didn’t work out — because the first one was too intelligent and the second one was too dumb (laughs). The first one was intelligent enough to mess up and the second one was so dumb that she couldn’t understand that the first one was trying to mess up our relationship. One fine day, both of them landed at my place together; I had made breakfast for the second one. I laughed and said all right this is the end of my love story. It was before I came to Mumbai.

What did your past relationships teach you?

Don’t try and be good to your ex-girlfriends if you are in another relationship. You will be doomed. These two were not very serious relationships. My first girlfriend was older than me. That was more like discovering a woman. I was in college and was immature. At that age, you want somebody whose hand you can hold under the table in a restaurant. The second one was my colleague at work.

Do you think men make too much of an issue of their girlfriend’s virginity? Does it matter to you?

Most men do make an issue of it. I have evolved enough to accept that my relationship with anyone starts from the point we decide to start it. Before that, I have led my life. I can’t undo what I have done; she can’t undo what she has done.

Do you think a guy and a girl can be ‘just friends’ without any physical attraction?

You have to be a saint or not a straight man, not to feel something for a woman who is standing in front of you (laughs). I am talking of people my age, not about someone who is 40 years older than me. Sex is all in the mind. Most women think that I don’t take the initiative; it’s not that I don’t think about them but I don’t take the initiative because I don’t want to cross the line.

If a girl is not good looking, would you tend to be less interested?

I am sure she will have 10 other qualities if she lacks good looks.

Your character, Sujal in Kahiin To Hoga was an extremely romantic guy. How different are you from him in real life?

We both are very romantic but we don’t know how to express it. We both are very passionate about love. The only difference is that I wouldn’t follow the lady if she is settled with someone else. If she is happy, I would be happy. I think Sujal crossed that line.

You have always been linked with your co-star, Aamna. Are you attracted to her?

I can’t really reveal my true feelings (laughs). She is so beautiful. If I were not attracted to her, it would be shameful. I was aware of her as a woman. I would keep reminding myself: Mr Khandelwal, behave yourself (laughs). I would always be a good boy in front of her.

Would you be comfortable enacting a lovemaking scene for a Hindi film?

I haven’t done that till now, except for a peck here or there. I don’t think I will be comfortable enacting a lovemaking scene. I don’t think I will ever kiss a woman on screen. If I have to portray an emotion, I can show it more beautifully without actually doing it. You can be sensuous without being explicit.

How would you describe a world without women?

Colourless and sans music. I can’t really imagine a world without women.