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By Subhash K. Jha, Mumbai, June 12: John Abraham is trying to essay a wide variety of roles. The actor has recently wrapped up 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 Kashyap is someone I'd like to work with again and again," John told IANS in an interview.

He is quite impressed with 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."

After "Aashayein" John intends to take a break. "Everything is going well. Even when I'm out of Mumbai shooting, a very efficient staff and friends look after my endorsements and my other interests. I'm surrounded by people who know my mind and act as I would if I was in their place.

"I'm not unhappy being out of town, except for the weird rumours that are allowed to float in Mumbai when I'm absent. I'm such a chilled out guy, happy to be in my space. I make such an effort not to get into others' space. I just do my work quietly. And still I get into these controversies."

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.

"You know, I know him from school where he was my senior. He's a very good man. He understands the audiences completely. And I totally respect him for that. I don't think he has a problem with me. And I certainly don't have any problems with him. He's a genuinely nice guy.

"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."