"If you want to call it that," Shah Rukh told IANS. "I'm taking about six months off in June. I have three releases this year, as I normally do every year.

"I'm now going to spend time with my kids and finish my book when I take a break."

The book records Shah Rukh's experiences, attitudes and responses to the film industry and his own impressions of his performances.

"It's largely done. Now I need to take stock of the gathered material and also decide on a publisher. It's going to dwell on both my commercial and non-commercial work."

Continues Shah Rukh: "The book doesn't concentrate on any one aspect of my life or career. It's like me and my performances, unfocussed and all over.

"But it's not just about my performances. It gives me a chance to speak about matters that concern me as an artiste and an individual."

And yes, there will be a second instalment of the autobiography later in his career. "Provided my career remains eventful," he says.

While some of his senior and far more experienced colleagues like Dev Anand are still toying with the idea of recording their experiences, Shah Rukh has gone ahead and done it.

There's bound to be a flurry of excitement around the book when it's released, hopefully by yearend.

Writing is what has been on Shah Rukh's mind for some time now.

Those who heard his witty one-liners and ironical jabs at the film industry at the Filmfare Awards this year would perhaps be surprised to know that the entire script for the anchoring job between him and Saif Ali Khan was penned by him.

All this at a time when his latest film, "Main Hoon Na", carries outstanding pre-release reports.

He is also giving the finishing touches to his two other pending film assignments.

"Ashutosh Gowariker's 'Swades' is almost over and we're shooting Yash Chopra's film," says Shah Rukh.