It was initially the dimple that caught my attention. Rewind 9 years: the 1999 release ‘Pyar Mein Kabhi Kabhi’ brings us a refreshingly-handsome chocolate-boy hero. Songs like ‘Musu Musu Haasi’ and ‘Woh Pehli Baar’ take us back to college days; sharing soda, pressed uniforms, group tiffs, those first love encounters… and, oh… that Italian-Indian face. ‘Raaz’, ‘Aksar’, ‘Chehraa’, ‘Holiday’, ‘Bhram’; till date, he has over 25 movies to his name. He has been tagged with the stereotype label of ‘model-turned-actor’, written-off as being devoid of talent and personality, and has had the media even question his mere place in the Indian film industry. Let’s not forget their gracious act of often failing to recall his name, referring to him merely as ‘the ex-boyfriend of…’.

And then those interviews. Each and every time, the painted picture of a Casanova with loose morals and an uptight ego: a man with more charm than wit; a man with little heart yet a string of glamorous women on his arm; a man of pride and arrogance, surviving on a pretty face alone; and yet another interview which does little to change our distorted perception of him.

And then? Well… then I met the man himself.
Dino Morea.

“What a man, what a man, what a mighty good man..”

Backtrack to the Gladrags Man-Hunt Contest where you first came onto the scene. It’s 1996, but we’re re-writing history. Dino Morea & John Abraham are the top two finalists. John wins. What does Dino say?
Hmmm. You know, I think I’d answer the questions better. So I think I’d definitely win. (Winks). I think my answers are much more wittier than John’s. Just to clarify, you know he didn’t take part. And he didn’t win. Dino won.

Was acting your dream job?
It just happened; it was never what I thought I’d do. Once I got into college and started modelling, acting just became the next step. And now that I’m here, this is what I love. But when I was a kid, I wanted to be a race-car driver.

Would you ever act in a women-centric movie, where you played second-lead to the female protagonist?
Yeah for sure, why not? As long as it’s meaningful cinema, I totally would.

Which has been your most challenging movie?
Ironically the film ‘Holiday’… that was very challenging for the simple reason that I had to learn a new dance form. Latin-American dance is tough. It’s all about posture, and I was an amateur. I had only 6 months to learn the Salsa, the Rumba, the Merengue, and the Samba

How was it being under the direction of Pooja Bhatt?
Pooja is aesthetically fantastic. She can make a good-looking film for sure. Given the right screen-play she’d pull off a great job. She’s very meticulous when it comes to shooting because she controls a tight budget.

Pooja Bhatt the actress or Pooja Bhatt the director?
I loved her when she was an actress and I’ve worked with her under direction. Plus she’s a close friend of mine; I’m biased either way.

Who is your killer competition?
Everybody in the industry is competition. Everybody who’s doing better than me is my competition. And it’s great, it’s needed. If I didn’t have anything to be jealous about, to worry about, then I wouldn’t be struggling. I’d become complacent.

Do you think the media ruins relationships?
Sometimes, yes. Because sometimes they’re right, but other times they’re absolutely wrong. And once something has been written it obviously plays on people’s minds.

And has it affected you in any way?
Not as such.. But I’ve been through a lot of situations with the media and I’ve tried to explain to people concerned that things weren’t the way the media’s made it out to be. As long as they understand and you trust each other, it’s more than enough.

Ever had the hots for a co-star?
Well my co-star was my girlfriend, initially. But other than Bipasha, no not really.

‘Raaz’, ‘Aksar’, ‘Bhram’, ‘Anamika’.. And now ‘Acid Factory’ in the pipeline. Still getting thrills from thrillers?
No way please, I’m done with thrillers, I’m so done with thrillers.

So do you prefer the role of the chocolate hero or the action man?
Action is what I want to get into now, that’s what I’m looking at the next couple of releases. I’m currently training in marital arts. I used to do it in school. Now I’m taking it a little more seriously. It’s discipline.

Where’s our chocolate hero gone? ‘Pyar Mein Kabhi Kabhi’, then what, pyar mein kabhi nehin?
(Laughs) Aww.. yeah, that was a sweet film. You’re totally right, I need to get out of the whole serious genre.

We miss the dimple Dino.
I miss him too! He’ll be back. (Laughs) Dimple Dino’s gonna be back for sure.

In ‘Aksar’ you played an unfaithful husband with a very dark motive to get rid of your wife as a result of having an affair with her best friend. How dark is the real Dino?
Absolutely not whatsoever. I don’t think I’d be that cruel in real life. And the story was dark. But the character was very subtle; he wasn’t overdramatic at all. It was the subtleness of the character which was interesting; it brought out the eeriness.

Well what’s Dino really like?
Dino is more loving towards women.. (Laughs) Definitely more loving towards women. And if he was married and was having problems, he wouldn’t sought out to kill his wife. (Pauses)… he’d just kick the shit out of her. I’m KIDDING. No, he’d just get divorced.

Can Dino handle guilt?
Yes, I can. I’ve learnt to handle a lot in life. You know, you lose your innocence in the industry. It’s tough; the industry makes you heartless. Thankfully all of my friends that I hang-out with have nothing to do with it.

Dino’s 3 vices.
3 vices. (Pauses). Ok, I’m a sucker for sympathy- I have a soft heart. And I trust too easily. You trust too easily, you get screwed. You get screwed, you get hurt. Harsh reality is everyone takes you for a ride. You got to wise up. And there isn’t a 3^rd vice, 2 are bad enough.

Fling-King or Long-time Lover?
(Coughs)… Ok, when I need to be a long-time lover, I can be. And when I’m single, I wouldn’t say I’m a fling-king, but I date women. You never know who comes along and when. You just click with a certain person and it becomes a long-time thing.

Best ex-girlfriend? Don’t be diplomatic, and don’t say ‘they’re all different.’
Haha.. Damn. Ok I won’t… they’re all fantastic, all in their own special way…..

That was cheating. Ok, anyone you particularly miss?
No. I mean if you’d asked me this after a break-up, then yeah I’d say I miss that person. But you move on in time. The good thing is, I’ve always remained friends with my ex-girlfriends.

Not awkward?
Well you spend so much time with the person, you share so much… A few months after you break-up it’s always awkward, but once you move on with your life you can look back and think, Ok I messed up, you messed up, but we shared some really good times. Then it’s cool.

How do you deal with a jealous girlfriend?
(Long pause)

Do you deal with a jealous girlfriend?
Yeah I do. If my girlfriend is jealous then I won’t blame her for being jealous, but just do everything I can to make her really comfortable. I’d work at it most definitely.

The most beautiful thing a woman has ever done for you?
Lots. There’s cooking me a meal… that was sweet. God, you know what, I’m so easily pleased, trust me. I don’t drive a hard bargain. Just show me a little love and I’ll be ok.

Would you ever date a fan?
I have no restrictions on who I date. It could be anybody from anywhere, anytime. You just have to click and share the chemistry. It could well be a fan.

We’ll hold you to that. Anyway, times are changing. Would you forgive a girl for cheating on you?
Of course. You know, I’ve done it before. It’s a phase, and I really regret that I’ve done it. We screw up; that’s what we human beings do. It’s just weak moments in your life, and you have no one else to blame but yourself.

Do you think it’s reflective of character?
No. It’s a moment in someone’s life where they just weaken. Maybe seeking attention which you’re probably not giving them. Shit happens in everybody’s life at some point. You won’t understand immediately; no one does. Time makes you understand.

Are you possessive?
Oh yeah. Very possessive. And I’m the short-tempered guy. I like things to be good in a relationship. And if it’s not right, I get pissed-off.

Do you sulk?
No, I express. I bring it up, I say what I have to say.

Scenario: You and a friend are both in love with the same girl. You have one shot at proving your worth before she takes her pick. What’s your killer move?
Honestly? I’d just be myself. If she can’t love me for that, then maybe she’s not worth it.

Ok I wasn’t expecting that answer!
(Laughs) Why what were you expecting?! No, I just think if she has to choose between two people and you have to prove yourself, then it’s not really love at all. There’s no point.

Very true. The lady you love: the sight of her smile or the sound of her laughter?
Everything. Everything about her. The way she walks, the way she talks, the way she smiles, the way she cries, the way she laughs, the way she nags, the way she screams when she’s angry. Everything.

The most romantic thing you’ve ever done for a girl?
I do write letters… Cards… I mean, no one writes letters today! I send postcards while I’m travelling, little gifts now and then. Cook food, make dinner. You know.

Long-distance relationships?
No… if a girl lived in America and I lived in India it wouldn’t work. I need a lot of attention. I’m spoilt like that, I need to be pampered.

How do you know that you’ve found the One?
You never know… You actually just never know.

Nooooooo!!!
It’s true! When you’re in love, you think THIS IS IT; you think the person is the One. But you just don’t know. It’s unfortunate, but it’s life’s mischievous way. You just never know.

Dino, that sucks.
No I think it keeps you on your toes to make the relationship work! When you think you ‘know’, you become complacent.

So if you’re in a relationship and yet you’re still looking for something else, then it’s not meant to be.
It’s not meant to be. Absolutely.

Can you stop yourself from cracking-up or smiling in the middle of a heated argument?
No I can’t, sometimes I just cannot stop laughing because the other person just looks so strange at that moment. My god. And then they get angrier and look stranger, and you keep laughing. And then a glass is thrown at you, things fly at you. Can’t control sometimes.

Does it usually end the fight?
Sometimes. Although it can also end in the person storming out. But it’s always good to have an argument from time to time.

Scenario: You suddenly realise who the One is, the woman you truly love, and you’re convinced you’re meant to be together. Only one hitch: it’s her wedding day. What does Dino do?
Go and pull her away from the wedding altar and say “Listen, it’s me- not him.”

Really?!!
Absolutely- you want something bad enough, go get it.

How many hearts have you broken? Honestly.
I don’t know… Really I don’t know. I hope not many because I hate that stuff… I have seen situations where some of my ex-girlfriends have sobbed… And I can’t take it. Really. I’m a softie and that’s the worst.

Do you see yourself settling down anytime soon?
I’ve asked myself this question a few times recently. I’m not sure. Yes, financially I’m ready. But when, with whom… Only God knows.

Scenario: Dino’s about to become a dad. You’re pacing the hospital corridors. Suddenly the doctor emerges and tells you he can save either your wife, or your baby girl. Who does Dino choose?
Damn… That’s tough. (Pauses). My wife. We can always make another baby girl, right… How does anyone make me my wife back..?

Ever lost someone close?
No, not yet. Thank God.

Ok, fast-forward twenty years. Your 19-year-old daughter is in love with a guy known to be the biggest Casanova in the film industry. How does daddy Dino deal?
Errrrrrr… is she in love with him or is he in love with her?

She’s in love with him. But he’s known to break hearts.
Ok, she’s in love with him and they’re dating? Hmmmm. (Long pause). Well, I’d get a gun. Then I’d stick it to his skull and say “You mess with her…”

So you’d put a stop to their relationship?
I’d put a stop to his sex life.

Haha.. Good luck to him! Tell me Dino: WHY do we girls like bad boys?
You tell me! Why do you? I guess bad boys give the macho image. Whatever said and done, a woman likes to be bossed around a bit. The man thing. They like a guy who’s secure and knows the deal. Sometimes they like to be treated badly.

Errrrrrrrrrr…
They like it, I’m telling you! They like it. (Laughs) Not badly as in beaten, I mean just given the man-vibes from time to time. They like a man who will stand up for himself, not behave like a wimp.

Good save. Ever had a psycho ex?
Psycho ex, no. Psycho fan, yes. This one girl used to camp outside my house, day and night. She came from another country, and would send me flowers every evening. I met her once.

Share your fondest childhood memory.
My childhood… Man it’s been amazing. From friends to sports. My parents were very encouraging. And just growing up in Bangalore. I have to thank my parents and my brothers for that.

You have 2 brothers, right; do you always steal the limelight?
No, my younger brother is getting into direction in Bollywood. And my older brother runs a chain of cafes we own right now, called The Crepe Station. We do our own thing.

Who inspires Dino?
People who do well in life. Rags-to-riches stories.

Is that something you relate to?
Yeah. I like people who have made it on their own, without the help of anybody.

Your biggest fear?
Losing everything I’ve worked for today.

The most important person in your life?
Persons, plural. My family. Always.

Any nicknames?
Mom calls me Deen. Sunil (Shetty) calls me Din-Din. Stick to Dino, Dino is good.

Last shot. “Dino Morea”. D is for..
Delicious!

I is for..
Intelligent.

N is for..
Naughty.

O is for..
Oh…… My God. (Winks)