Ram Gopal Varma recently hit the headlines when he scrapped his film Time Machine which was to go on floors in November, in the process, making disparaging remarks about the would be lead, Shah Rukh Khan, incurring the ire of countless people.

Recently, he was asked a few questions about this decision. Follows is a brief interview given by the controversial director to an agency.

What on earth is wrong with you? Meaning what? Maybe a little bit of everything is wrong with me.

You've given statements that you're not doing Time Machine because Shah Rukh Khan isn't your type of actor. I can get a strong scent of sour grapes. I don't need to explain what happened. It didn't work out. Twice in my career, I have approached Shah Rukh. The first time was for Company, but then I realised the project wouldn't suit his image, so I changed my mind. The second time we identified a project...Time Machine...but my temperament is to start a film immediately. Again, I changed my mind.

Couldn't Shah Rukh Khan have changed his mind about working with you? Why should I answer that? Ask him.

But Ramuji, he doesn't go about making statements. See, he's very exciting to meet as a person; he's a great conversationalist. But, I can't deal with his image.

What image? Of a romantic guy.

Even if we go with that, aren't you the one who initiated talks over Time Machine? Yes, and I admit that was my mistake. The more and more I went into the details of the project, I was put off its huge budget, the high sale prices, and then told myself, this film is not to be. Shah Rukh is not my type of actor.

Who is your type of actor? Rajpal Yadav? No, my type of actors are intense, brooding and larger than life.

Meaning? Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan.

Isn't your new film Nishabd, with Amitabh Bachchan, 'inspired' by Lolita? You know I never do remakes. Wait and watch, you'll be surprised

Alright, why do you have a complex about Karan Johar? Live and let live. What if he were to call your films boring documentaries? When I say anything about Karan it's out of sheer jealousy. Yes, you can quote me on that. I'm very jealous of Karan. I thought I was paying him huge compliments whenever I talk about his films. In fact, the trailer of Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna is the greatest I've ever seen in my life. I'm sure it will get a tremendous opening, it'll be bigger than Titanic.

Sure, that comes straight from your heart, doesn't it? Tell me what is your kind of film? Black.

And according to (you) who is the lousiest filmmaker? Myself. See, I can make fun of myself. I'm a horrible filmmaker who makes horrible films. Once in a while, the audience likes one of my films and so I get to make more horrible films.

Well said. What kind of a person are you? I'm a very nice guy, kind-hearted, god-fearing, polite, I respect my mother, I am aware of my social responsibilities.

Yeah sure, do you have any friends? Not one.

Me? As the saying goes, "With friends like you, who needs enemies"?

What do you see in the mirror? In the morning, I see a demon. At night, I see an angel.