John Abraham's new terrace flat, overlooking the sea at Bandstand is right between Salman and Shah Rukh Khan's house.

"I can be called John Khan now," he smiles. John says the minimalist décor of his bachelor pad is a reflection of his mind. "There is a saying that the world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going. And I know I am in the right lane, but with all my middle-class values intact," he says.

While his professional life seems to be on the right track, it’s his personal life that has always received a great deal of scrutiny, including everything from his alleged falling out with Salman Khan during a world tour to reported link-ups with Mallika Sherawat and Vidya Balan, and now the alleged estrangement from girlfriend Bipasha Basu.

"There is an artificial scarcity around brand 'John Abraham'. I love that. I enjoy that space," he winks and adds, "Now that Salman and I have come together again for a show, trust me, I will be written about in the same vein. I don't think of myself bigger than the other stars. I really respect Salman Khan. I still do not know what the problem was, that is if there was any. And I don't know why even my promoters did not support me when people made false allegations against me."

As for his link-ups, he says, "I met everyone, including Mallika on the show. Why she has been specially picked up, I have no idea," he says.

And the reported split with Bipasha? Latest rumours have it that they're only together because of the endorsements and contracts they have signed as a couple and there's a lot of money at stake.

He laughs, "Because the initial excitement in our relationship has settled down, and we're at peace with ourselves, people are assuming that we've drifted apart. We are very much together. Bipasha stood by me always and I respect her for that. Trust me, love comes and love goes, but respect is something that's eternal."

Any thoughts about marriage? "Bipasha has just begun her second innings, and so have I. She is looking great and is going to rock in the next three years.

Let not marriage come and spoil everything," he says, stressing that he "respects the sanctity of a relationship and wants it to end in a meaningful way."