Even in my wildest dreams I never imagined I'd be a  s u p e r s t a r ! After a dream debut as the heart-broken lover boy in Kadhal Desam, Abbas has become the latest teen idol, who even has a temple erected in his name. Three girls ran away from home just to catch a glimpse of their `hero' and another stripped off her blouse so he could write his name on her heart. Amazingly, abbas is embarrassed by this almost overnight mass adulation. But that apart he's enjoying his super success and taking care to see that it doesn't slip away just as suddenly. A heart-to-heart with the lover boy. One hit and you seem to be on a signing spree already... Well, I'm not the avarivcious kind, I assure you, who'd sing films left, right and centre, and just for money. It's good roles I'm greedy for. I want to do every good role I'm offered provided, of course, I have the dates to spare. I may have signed quite a few films, but has any producer complained that I've bunked shooting? My dates are meticulously planned. And I'm a stickler for commitment. I even worked when I was running a 104 degree temperature. When you got the role in Kadhal Desam, did you anticipate you'd get the kind of adulation that you've been showered with? No, not even in my wildest dreams. People have had to slog for decades for this kind of adulation, some don't get it even then. But here I am, a newcomer who's already being treated like a superstar! Do you think you deserve this kind of fame? I wish I could say yes, but I know I can't. There are actors who've sacrified a lot because they are committed to their craft. They deserve this attention more than I do. I can't help but feel humbled when I think of them. VIP and Romance are said to be the only two good films you've signed recently... Nonsense! I've read the scripts of all the films I've signed, including Poo Chooadva, Aasai Thambi and Ini Ellam Sugame, besides the two you've named. A few of them may be low-budget films that aren't heavily publicised, but that does not make them bad! I do have big budget films too, such as the A V M film which Karisma Kapoor will launch in Tamil films. I consider myself fortunate to be acting in an AVM film, as all the great actors, from MGR to Kamal Haasan and Rajnikanth, have acted for the banner. Do you regret rejecting Jeans which would have given you the chance to work with Shankar and Aishwarya Rai? I'm sure I won't regret any decision of mine. I weigh all the pros and cons before I make up my mind. When jeans was offered to me. I was up to my neck in work. There was no way I was going to ditch another producer only to be able to work with Shankar and Aishwarya. That would have been against my principles. What about Ta Ta Rum Pum with Shekhar Kapur? I'm still waiting for him to get in touch with me. Rumour has it that Mansoor khan has approached you for a role opposite Aishwarya Rai... How on earth did you manage to ferret out that secret? Yes, Mansoor and I have had discussions about a film. Mansoor Khan seen the rushes of Kadhal Desam and seemed to have liked what he saw of me. I'd be delighted to work for a sensitive director like Mansoor Khan. While you're ready to act with Aishwarya, yopu're not too keen about acting with Sushmita Sen. It is said that you were put off by her snobbish behaviour at the launch of Ratchagan... I don't know why people think I was offended by Sushmita. We were very cordial with each other. In any case, I'm not the kind she'd want to act smart with. I have a superhit to my credit while she only has a flop, Dastak, I have nothing against her though I've had to turn down a film with her which is to be directed by Vikram Bhatt. You've now completed a year in films. What is your opinion about the industry? It's a good place to be in so long as you know how to handle it, especially the mean, bitchy folks you're forced to rub shoulder with occasionally. You have reportedly hiked up your fee considerably... Where did you hear that one? I wish I had though. Check my purse. You won't find more than Rs 500 in it! I'd be the last man to act high and mighty after just one hit and mess up my career when I've only just started out. Tell me, do I look the unreasonable sort? What was your reaction on hearing about the three Coimbatore girls who ran away from home just to see you in person? I didn't quite believe it until the cops told me it was true. God alone knows what they saw in me! I can't help feeling sorry for them and their parents. Have you had to encounter such adulation on other occasions? Yes, a number of times. When we were shooting at VGP Golden Beach, for instance, a girl walked up to me and asked if I would sign my name on her heart. Without quite realising what I was letting myself in for, I said yes. She promptly took off her blouse for me to sign my name on her chest. And to my dismay the Tamil magazines went to town about the incident. On another occasion, a girl sent me a strange gift-transparent, plastic underwear with Ninja turtles painted on them. Now don't ask me what the gift implied! How does it feel to have a temple erected in your name at Kokinampatti? Well, frankly I'm embarrassed. I remember feeling sorry for the people who erected temples for NT Rama Rao and Khushboo. But this one takes the cake! No, I shan't ever visit the temple if that's what you want to know. What saddens you the most? The sight of old people bowing in front of me, It brings tears to my eyes. In the one year that you've been in films, have you managed to make any lasting friendships? Yes, many. Khushboo's brother Abdullah, for instance. And Prasanna, Sharad Haskar, Kala Master, Simran, Pooja Kumar and Rambha. I'm friendly with everyone, byut I'm especially close to these guys. So when is the bachelor boy going to tie the knot? As soon as my mother finds the right girl for me! I'm an old-fashioned mama's boy, you see, and I'll happily marry the girl of her choice.