By Subhash K. Jha
Mumbai, July 3 (IANS) Aftab Shivdasani ushered in his 31st birthday with Aamna Sharif, who is rumoured to be his girlfriend, and is his co-star from the flop “Aloo Chaat”. He refused to comment about their relationship, but says he is looking forward to marriage.

“Yes, she was in the little party that I had for people close to me on my birthday. Aamna is a very dear friend. Beyond that I don’t want to say anything about the future of our relationship. But yes, I do look forward to marriage, like everyone else. But I still have time,” Aftab told IANS.

Tell him Aamna is the prettiest girlfriend he has had and Aftab doesn’t demur.

“Thanks. I’ll tell her that,” said the actor who was earlier linked to Esha Deol and Yana Gupta.

Obviously Aftab has realised being part of small solo starrers doesn’t help his career in any way. The best part of “Aloo Chaat was that Aftab met Aamna and the two hit it off immediately. Their relationship has survived the flop.

Curiously Aftab was no part of the publicity blitzkrieg for just released “Kambakkht Ishq” although he plays a pivotal part. There’s no resentment about this omission.

“I always wanted to work with Sajid Nadiadwala. My being part of the publicity was never part of the plan. I was just happy being part of such a big project. If the film works, everyone benefits and that includes me,” he said.

Doing “Kambakkht Ishq” had its perks, Aftab got to meet his idol Sylvester Stallone.

“Coincidentally, I had watched the latest edition of his Rambo series just a few days before I shot with Stallone. We spent hours on the sets talking about how the last Rambo movie had to be shot in Thailand in place of Burma,” he said.

Aftab was bowled over by Stallone’s discipline.

“They’ve a guild’s rule in Hollywood that actors can work only for eight hours per day. Stallone’s trademark red Ferrari would drive into the studio promptly at 7 a.m. By 9 a.m. he would be ready to shoot. And so would we.

“By 5 p.m. he’ll be ready to leave. I learnt so much shooting with Stallone, Denise Richards and Brandon Routh. Even if I perform just a cameo, it’s worth it,” he said.