Vivek Obero back from South Africa for Mission Istaanbul Premiere

Vivek Oberoi has not been reading the unflattering stories about himself. "I prefer to read books," he laughs on his one-day visit to India---Mumbai-Pune-Delhi, to be more precise. Vivek landed on Wednesday evening, rushed to Pune for a personal visit, rushed back to Mumbai on Thursday and flew to Delhi for the premiere of Mission Istaanbul, thereby putting an end to all speculative stories about dissociating himself from the film.

Says Vivek, "I requested Tips to let me off just one day. Just for the Delhi premiere. Then I'm flying back to the join the unit. I'm really excited because I'll be seeing the complete film for the first time. Apu has shown me parts of the film. I've heard such great things about the film and my work."

Vivek is currently shooting a hush-hush project with Kumar Taurani of Tips. It features Vivek with Sanjay Kapoor and Vivek has three leading ladies opposite him. But Vivek isn't allowed to talk about it. "Mr. Kumar Taurani of Tips has been treating me really well. I'm shooting for his film in South Africa. It's an action thriller directed by a guy called Kookie Gulati who's actually a fantastic music video director doing his first feature film. I love the script. Beyond that I'm not allowed to say anything about the film."

But wasn't Vivek supposed to be in Mumbai for the Mission Istaanbul press conference? "Yes, I couldn't make it on the 19th. I was shooting in South Africa. You see Mission Istaanbul was supposed to be released two weeks earlier. I was going all-out promoting it for two months. I kept myself completely free for the promotions till the 11th. But when the film got postponed to July 28, I had no option but to join my unit in South Africa. I'm really excited by my character in Mission Istaanbul."

Vivek has completely changed his look and hair for the Tips film. "Since I've to keep my look under wraps I've to wear a cap all the time. I joked with my producer Kumar Taurani. 'Normally actor producer ko topi pehnate hai. This time it's the other way around.'

The last 24 hours was hectic for the actor. "I'm so tired," Vivek said on Wednesday night. "I've flown 23 hours. I've become the jet-setting guy."