On 'Mission: Impossible', Anil Kapoor lives like '24' at 51!

                                        It doesn't get bigger and better for Anil Kapoor. Blessed with age defying genes, his career has gone seriously global at a time when he is turning 51. The Bollywood actor plans to spend his birthday Friday with friends even as he lives life out of a suitcase.

"I am looking forward to my birthday Dec 24. I will celebrate it with my friends," Anil told IANS in an interview.

Buddies might take over the big boy's big day but when it comes to the New Year, the actor reveals he will "have a holiday with family in Goa". He will cull out time from his jam-packed shooting schedule of the super-spy series "Mission: Impossible"'s fourth instalment in Vancouver.

He grew up in a tenement in Chembur, Mumbai where he shared a single room with seven others. He has starred in many hit movies like "Mr.India", "Beta", "Viraasat", "Ram Lakhan", "Tezaab", "Parinda" and "No Entry".

With over 100 films to his credit since 1979, the actor has defied twilight with ageless looks leaving most of his contemporaries green. "I'm just fortunate and lucky that I've got the genes that make me look younger than I am. I'm just happy. What can I say...I'm blessed," he blushes.

Is that the reason why he really hasn't gone for a major makeover in any film?

"It depends on the character. If it demands, then I'll do it but I don't want to change my look just for the sake of doing it," said Anil, who's pulled out his moustache only thrice in his three-decade career.

The actor-turned-producer took the West by storm with his role as a dubious quiz-show host in Danny Boyle's multiple Oscar award-winning underdog drama "Slumdog Millionaire" in 2009.

While that paved the way for his stint opposite Kiefer Sutherland in US TV show "24", the latter got him an opportunity to rub shoulders with superstar Tom Cruise in "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol".

But the actor is not giving up on his roots for that. Despite the jet lag, he shoots for both Bollywood and Hollywood simultaneously.

"Sometimes it becomes tough because of travelling and switching languages...One month you are doing something in Hindi and then you fly down and start speaking English. Sometimes changing gears becomes difficult in terms of language, style, atmosphere, people, but it's great fun," he says.

He also can't stop bringing his goofy side out.

"I love entertaining people. I love making them laugh. If sometimes it disappoints the intellectuals, then I'll do something for them too," said the actor, whose last outing was the laugh riot "No Problem".

Been there, done that. Now how about trying his hand at direction? "No. I don't think so," he winks his trademark smile.

Asked the obvious question on how he perceives his career, the actor scratches his French beard, gives a thought and says: "I'm just moving with the flow and enjoying the whole process. I'm not thinking too much. I am just doing one thing at a time and giving my best.

"There is so much in myself as an actor and as a producer, and I want to give as much as I can. I enjoy this whole process of creativity...international-national, whenever, whatever exciting and interesting will draw my attention, I'll do it.

"And everything that I've learnt there (in the West), whatever best I've come across, I'll bring that back (to Bollywood)," he added.

Freezing his place in B-Town, the actor is riding high on sequels to "Race", "No Entry" and "Mr. India", and other ventures like "Tezz" and "Power". Coming to international projects, he is in talks with Ben Stiller, Fox Television and Sophia Loren's son.

Hrithik, Priyanka Pair up Again!

                                                                  Priyanka Chopra will work with Hrithik Roshan in two movies next year —Krrish 2 and the Agneepath remake. “It’s a coincidence that Hrithik and I will be together for long spells after about five years. It’s too early to talk about Krrish 2, but I’m happy that the film is finally flagging off. Agneepath will also roll in January,” beams the actor.

Haven’t director Karan Malhotra and producer Karan Johar reworked the part of the nurse in Agneepath and turned her into a sex worker? “The film has been adapted to modern times and even the love track has been redrafted. Beyond Krrishthis, my lips are sealed,” smiles Chopra, who’s equally upbeat about Vishal Bhardwaj’s Saat Khoon Maaf that opens on February 18. “It’s been my toughest role so far and I’m anxious to see how people react to my performance.”

She is also in talks with Madhur Bhandarkar. And no, not for Heroine, which had been planned with Kareena Kapoor, but was reportedly shelved. “If he has a script that suits us both, we’ll work together again. Fashion (2008) bagged me the National Award, remember?” she says.

Kapoor and Chopra were in a catfight of sorts on Koffee With Karan, with barbs about where accents had been picked up from. But recently when the two met at a function, they were all smiles. “I reacted to her comment on my accent by saying I had got it from the same place that her boyfriend got it from. It was all fun and games. Everyone keeps cribbing that I’m too diplomatic so this time I let go. And the media made a big hoo haa about it,” she grimaces.

Lara Dutta, with whom she started her film career, on the other hand has flagged off her production company with Chalo Dilli, which is currently being shot in Jaipur. Chopra is excited for Dutta: “We haven’t spoken about her project and what we can do together. I’m glad she’s taken such a brave step.”

She recently walked the ramp for Salman Khan’s Being Human charity. When did they bury the hatchet? “It’s a great cause and I met so many of the girls over there after a really long time. It took just one phone call from Salman to get me on board,” she says.

The National Award-winner made her small screen debut this year too, replacing Akshay Kumar as the host of Khatron Ke Khiladi (KKK) 3. The show registered one of the highest opening ratings in the year and the lowest closing TRPs. Will she return to the show with season four? “Of course, but it will depend on my shooting schedule. I have a lot happening next year, but if the combination works out with Colors, I’d love to be a part of KKK again,” she asserts, admitting that she has also been approached for several other reality shows. “But it should wrap up in 20 days. Only then I’ll do TV.”