We catch Abhishek Bachchan in an upbeat mood...

You can't escape Abhishek Bachchan. Everyone is talking about him, especially now that he is said to be dating Aishwarya Rai. So, is Abhishek in love? "Yes, I am..." he says and pauses, before adding, "with my work!"

And what about his alleged liaison with Ash? "This question is best answered by the media. I really don't have an answer to that." Is he then implying that he's single? "Yes," he says.

Abhishek turned 30 this year in February and is touted as one of the most eligible bachelors around. "I don't much care about talk that I am an eligible bachelor. I just like to be left alone to do my work."

"As of now, I am very happy with my work and the thought of marriage hasn't crossed my mind. But I would love to be married someday."

"I also love kids. My sister's kids Navya and Agastya are the two best things in my life. I wish I could spend more time with them," he says.

Given that his next release, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna is a film about extramarital relationships, what would he do if he were ever in a real-life scenario like that?

"Never! I don't believe in extramarital affairs. I believe marriage is for good - full and final - and if you want to cheat on your wife, then just don't get married," he says.

Real life aside, is Abhishek game for a French kiss on screen? "Yeah, sure!" And who would the chosen co-star be? "Whoever is working with me on the film."

And what if his co-star has bad breath? "There's nothing I can do about it. I am a professional and I'll go ahead and do my job," he laughs.

Professionally, how much has he improved in the last six years since his debut?

"I am improving on a daily basis and if people don't think so, then I must be hopeless in whatever I do!" he smiles. "But this is just the beginning, there is a hard journey ahead. I hope I can make my parents proud," he says.

Abhishek considers his parents Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan to be the finest actors. So, what is that one trait that he has inherited from them? "I'd like to believe that I have got more than one quality from them. I have imbibed a sense of perseverance, dedication and a 'never-give-in' attitude from my father. And my mother's temper!" Does he lose his head often? "No, not a lot. I am a very fun-loving guy," he says.

In spite of his affable and fun self, he is always seen wearing dark colours, so much so that it seems like there is no other colour in his life apart from black, brown and grey.

"It's just that I like to dress appropriately for the occasion. But I'll keep what you have said in mind," he says.