Vivek Oberoi is excited. Not only is he starring in a film that also features Shah Rukh Khan but he has also shot with three tigers!

The actor, whose film "Kisna" is about to be released soon, has taken off for Bangkok to shoot the last lap of Karan Johar's new production "Kaal" directed by debutante Soham Shah.

Besides Vivek, the thriller features Ajay Devgan and John Abraham. The film will also have Johar's favourite Shah Rukh who will make a guest appearance in the credit titles singing one of the film's jazzy songs.

This isn't the first occasion when Vivek has shot a three-hero film.

"But it will be the first time I'll be in a Shah Rukh movie. What an honour to even share the same space as him.

"Yes, I've done two three-hero films, 'Masti' and 'Yuva'. But 'Kaal' is a different experience altogether.

"It takes us into a totally different and unique area of creativity. I have shot with three tigers, real ones mind you!

"They were just two to three feet away from me. No special effects were used, no trick photography... There they stood before me... awesome creations of god for whom we seem to have lost respect. Why else do we treat our wildlife so callously?"

Apparently the tiger trainer in Bangkok was so impressed that he complimented Vivek for his courage to stand so close to a tiger.

Vivek chuckles. "Well, it was pretty much awesome. The tiger wasn't attached to any cables or ropes, and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. So the trainer came up to me after the shot to call me brave.

"Cool no? Tigers are such beautiful, majestic creatures. Sad that they're growing extinct because of our greed and cruelty."

The conversation veers from "Kaal" to "Taal" director Subhash Ghai.

Vivek sighs: "I want 'Kisna' to do well, not just for myself but for everyone involved with the project. We have all worked so hard. It would be no exaggeration to call 'Kisna' a labour of love.

"It's been gruelling to work in that long-haired wig, to be transported back to a time long before you or I were born. But at the end it has all come together. Look at the music quality," says Vivek enthusiastically.

He has also tried to put the failure of "Kyun!...Ho Gaya Na" behind him.

"It's easy to be the whipping boy when you're down and out. I humbly accept all the criticism. I hope 'Kisna' works in spite of me."

Mumbai is abuzz with talk of Vivek's split with Aishwarya Rai.

"Again?" Vivek chooses to be amused rather than exasperated. "Won't they ever give up? Is it wishful thinking or just sour grapes?" he wonders, tongue firmly in cheek.