A stands for ambition; it stands for aggression. It also stands for Akshaye Khanna. With two films under his belt and six others in line, the 22-year-old son of super-star Vinod Khanna knows exactly what he wants. Perhaps he always has. As a teenager it was racing cars. Now it, unquestionably, is acting. Akshaye shrugged off the failure of his debut film Himalayaputra. He is equally unmoved by the rave reviews he has received for his faultless performance in Border. The chip of the old block worked with Madhuri Dixit in Mohabbat., which will soon be released.Focused and confident, Akshaye is unapologetic about his success, his ambition or his need for money and fame. Neither is he overwhelmed by big star names. What is obvious, however, is that the talented actor is tight-lipped. Excerpts:

Are you where you are because of your father( well known star Vinod Khanna)?
No. But it was advantageous that in my first film all I had to be was my father's son? It makes life much easier. After that it's what you can deliver and offer and that will take you wherever you go. There are advantages and disadvantages and everyone knows them. In my mind at least I have overcome this. I am enjoying the advantages and I am trying to cope with the disadvantages.

Did you ever want to be an actor?
Always.I thought I could contribute, I could make a mark. I thought I could be good at what I do. And, most of all, I thought I would enjoy it. Being part of the film family, I had a little bit of experience about how the film industry functions. I knew the life, the profession, what it would be like. I liked it. I did not train much. A little bit of dance, fight, acting, just to get the feel of it, but nothing serious. With some people training would have helped but as far as my case goes I don't think any amount of training will make me a better actor. Acting is not something you can teach. It's life. When you are acting you are creating or recreating life. You have to have a flair for it and then that flair can be cultivated. But that will be mostly done by yourself. It's an individual kind of cultivation. Its internal, not external. I am my best trainer. You have to keep watching yourself and improving.

Do you seek guidance from your father?
All the time. I discuss with him whatever I need to. There is no compulsion to discuss every little thing. I can do whatever I want. If I need advice I ask for it.

Your debut film Himalayaputra flopped. How did you feel?
That's true, it didn't do well at all. I was unhappy but it wasn't as if I went into depression. I did my best. I have no idea what went wrong

How many films are you doing now?
Six films. There is Mohabbat with Madhuri Dixit which is going to be released. Then there is Dehak with Sonali Bhendre and director Priyadarshan's film, which has not been titled, with a new girl, Lawaris with Jackie Shroff and Manisha Koirala, Deewana Tere Naam Ka with Karishma Kapoor and Agar Tum Na Aate with Twinkle Khanna. I am choosy about the films I do.I have really tried to experiment and do as many kinds of films and roles as I could be permitted. I have tried not to stereotype myself. It's just the beginning and as my films are released you will notice I have tried by best.

Did you have to work extra hard to prove yourself in Border which had so many established stars?
On the contrary. When I look back at Border, I did put in more effort physically but as far as the acting was concerned everything becomes easy when you have directors like J.P. Dutta. All you have to do is follow instructions. Because they are so good you don't have the opportunity to use your mind. You are just following what the director says and it's wonderful.

When you saw your first two films, what did you think you lacked?
Of course there is so much I lack. There is scope for improvement in so many ways. But that's fine. That's not something I get angry or nervous about because I have just begun. I should be given time to improve and I will improve.
Faults will be there from your first film to your last film. Acting is a profession in which achieving perfection is very difficult. It takes a long time to deliver a performance that is really good. All my films will have some flaws as far as my performance is concerned. It's not something to worry about.

Any contemporaries you like or idolise?
I don't idolise. Not even my father.

What has been your experience while working with senior people?
I am the youngest actor in the Hindi film industry. At 22 there is no one younger than me. So everybody I work with is my senior. I would be a miserable wreck if I got nervous working with them.

How do you react to gossip
It's great fun. I don't find gossip an intrusion nor do I get flustered. I enjoy it. I have never regretted being in the industry?

Do you feel there is too much competition?
I do not believe I am competing with anybody. I am competing with myself. That may sound cliched, but it's true. If you are competing with other people you shouldn't be in this profession. We are professionals, its not competition, it's not business.

Are you particular about the money you charge?
Money is not something I like to discuss in an interview. But it is important.

What do you feel about the state of Hindi films? Is there too much sex and violence?
Films reflect society. They are usually what the filmmaker perceives, what he thinks the audience will like or have fun with. And if that is what the public enjoys then that's what they will get. It's public taste.

What do you do when you are not working?
Work occupies most of my time. I spend time with my parents and family, I watch movies, I play squash.

What do you want to achieve?
As far as my profession is concerned there is no such target I can set. Definitely my target would be to continuously improve myself and do better films. It's an ongoing process. It's not something I can measure. That doesn't exist here. You can never be a perfect actor. It's a process. I wanted to be a motor racing driver in school. It's something that I would still like to do. But it's not practical. I only studied till my 12th. I did my 10th at Bombay International and then I studied at Lawrence in Ooty for two years. Then I started working. I was good in studies but I never studied hard enough so I didn't get high marks. I'm not the kind to sit for exams and score. But as far as comprehending and grasping is concerned I am very good.

What was the feeling when you faced the camera for the first time?
It was great. Life began. I was always quite confident that I could do the job.