For quite some time Vivek's career was going downhill, but the actor re-emerged as Maya Dolas in superhit action thriller "Shootout At Lokhandwala".

After that he has signed some good films, including a film for Karan Johar's production house that is being directed by Resnil D'Silva. He has teamed up with Kareena Kapoor in it.

Excerpts:

Q: You went into a shell and then emerged from it lately.

A: Sometimes in life everything seems uncertain. So I began to see my life in a new perspective. I went through that defining moment of clarity. Now I'm very happy with my life. I wouldn't say I'm content because I'm very ambitious. I'm a kid in a candy store.

Q: Why are you so low profile and yet rubbing so many people the wrong way?

A: I'm not low profile any longer. For the last two months I've been accessible thanks to my last release, "Mission Istanbul". I don't know why there's a perception that I've gone underground. As for rubbing people the wrong way, on the contrary I find a great deal of love support and encouragement.

I've made so many new friends - Karan Johar, Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri have been extremely kind to me. Also Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, Riteish Deshmukh and Akshay Kumar have been a huge support. In fact, after my performance at IIFA (International Indian Film Academy) awards, Amitji (Amitabh Bachchan) came up to encourage me. Jaya aunty was clapping when I danced. Abhishek also sent me an SMS which was really sweet of him.

Q: What other films are you doing?

A: I'm doing Karan Johar's film directed by Rensil D'Silva and it is a brilliant role. When I read the script, my first question to Karan was, why me? He laughed and said it was because I was talented and I could pull it off. And I love working with Kareena. We share a great rapport after "Yuva" and "Omkara". We share a great chemistry.

And I also look forward to working with Saifoo (Saif Ali Khan) again. I called him Langda Bhaiyya throughout 'Omkara'. And Rensil is a fantastic writer. It's going to be on right after the Tips' movie, which I'm shooting in South Africa. Then I go to New York to shoot for Karan-Rensil's film. Neither the Tips' film nor Karan's film has a title yet. I am excited about the work I'm doing.

Q: Is Vivek Oberoi single?

A: Absolutely single. I'm not a womaniser. I do flirt. I like verbal flirting. It always backfires. Because if a girl reciprocates I get scared off. Not that I'm afraid of commitment. My resolve to find a soul mate remains unchanged. I've always been a romantic at heart. I'm waiting for the right person. I'm waiting for an ordinary girl, who will make my life extraordinary. I'm high on this drug called life. Every day I wake up thanking god.

Q: Your career is not handled by your dad any more?

A: Correct. For four-five years my career hadn't stabilised. Now it has. Dad was just not able to enjoy life because he was busy looking after my career. I felt terrible, like a bad son. Now Amit Chandra's Surge Entertainment is looking after my career, but dad still has the last word. Now I'm happy to see him relax, go out with mom.

Q: Do you still live with your parents?

A: Yes, it's funny. Twice they bought me a place of my own. In three months, I ended up selling my new homes and coming back to my parents. I missed them so much. Today, I'm more sure of who I am. I don't have to try to be anything. By god's grace I continue to do good work for the underprivileged.