Several hits and a newly discovered penchant for comedy later, Akshay Kumar is signing films very carefully.

"It's been a great year for me, touchwood. By god's grace 'Mujhse Shaadi Karogi' is one of the biggest hits of my career. I've a great life, a great family and a good career," Akshay told IANS before leaving for a holiday abroad with wife Twinkle and son Aarav.

Post-"Mujhse Shaadi..." he has signed only one film, a comedy called "Garam Masala".

"At first I had reservations about the title. Then I spoke to friends both at home and overseas. They liked it."

Long ago, comedian Mehmood had done a film called "Garam Masala". "That, I don't know. My film is a comedy of terror. What happens to a man who's dating five women at the same time!

"Director Priyadarshan had made it into a hit film in Malayalam. Now he's making it in Hindi. Since I've done one of my best films, 'Hera Pheri', with him I'm really looking forward to it."

The film will star five new girls whom the producers Venus will start looking for very shortly. Continues Akshay, "It'll require a lot of running around.

"Since my five girlfriends don't know about one another's existence, my character will be constantly running in and out. I don't think any normal guy has that many girlfriends, only James Bond."

Next up for release are Suneel Darshan's "Mere Jeevan Saathi" and Abbas-Mustan's "Aitraaz".

"Neither is a triangle in the true sense since my character isn't attracted to the second woman. In 'Aitraaz', I play a man being blamed for rape. It's a totally different kind of film.

"My aim is to avoid doing the same old stuff at any cost. I can't repeat myself. I want to show different facets of myself. It could be in a comedy like 'Garam Masala', or a drama like 'Aitraaz'. I want to go from the cop in 'Khakee' to the army man in my forthcoming 'Ab Tumhare Hawaale Watan Saathiyon'.

"If a role is interesting I want to do it. In 'Ab Tumhare...', I play an army man for the first time. My character is very different from other soldiers in our films. He's very romantic at heart. He writes poems. Lots of soldiers do that. Why don't we ever show it?"

Akshay has no intention of signing more films. "I already have my hands full. No more assignments unless something really exciting comes along.

"Do I have lots of comedies on hand? I don't think so. Laughter is important in real life, and therefore in my films. If you remember, Amitabh Bachchan in 'Amar Akbar Anthony', 'Chupke Chupke' and 'Hera Pheri', he made people laugh. He started the trend of the comic hero. I'm only following the trend."