But then, when we met Vikram in Delhi some days ago, he said he'd been sober for over three weeks, and showed us the many religious tattoos on his arms, one of them being 'Safira', giving us a glimpse of his other side, the one that tabloids don't pick up. Vikram's multi-million dollar nuptials to Delhi model Priya Sachdev in 2006 made headlines, but after his split from Priya, Vikram has been in the news for all the wrong reasons.

He was sent to rehab just a year after his marriage, and two rehab stints later, this model-cum-actor has embraced sobriety "for the sake of Safira". "It has been about three weeks since I quit drinking.

The urge comes..

. You just have to get around it.

I had got disconnected and lost focus, and I am doing this for myself, to enjoy life with my daughter," he says. Known as the hard partying billionaire in New York , Vikram was linked with Lindsay Lohan in 2011.

But he refuses to talk about the link-ups that made him a gossip column fixture. "I'd like to keep my private life and all those dating rumours about Hollywood women private," he asserts.

Instead, he chooses to talk about his current focus in life - his business, films and his daughter. "I was in India in January for a business trip.

I want to open a few hotels, and that takes time," he tells us. Intent on getting rid of his playboy image, Vikram, when quizzed about Angela Lindvall , his current flame whom he brought to India with him, defends his 'friend' as someone who wants to become a yoga guru.

"She's (Angela) a famous supermodel in America. She is studying Kundalini Yoga very seriously and she's learning to become a master teacher of yoga in America.

Her guru is Yogi Bhajan, who has converted 1.5 crore people in America to follow yoga.

He has written a lot of books. She follows him very seriously," he says.

Fresh out of a rehabilitation centre in Bangalore where he was kept on a strict diet of raw fruits and vegetables, Vikram says he is a changed man and wants to lose weight for his upcoming films. "They use certain oils, mud packs, a diet of fruits and vegetables - no medicines - to cure everyone from smokers to cancer patients.

On the 10th day, I found a bar of chocolate in my suitcase and had it, and it was like ecstasy..

. almost like an orgasm," Vikram says.

He'll also be getting back to acting as well as producing films soon. "I am doing a rugby film with Mickey Rourke , so I have to lose weight.

I lost 11kg in 11 days. I play tennis, squash and I do power yoga to keep me busy.

I also have a Shekhar Kapur film lined up for which I had to learn the British accent. I am also doing a film with Apoorva Lakhia, Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham.

Then there's another called "Below Poverty Line" with Amy Jackson and Gulshan Grover , apart from a Hollywood film with Ashley Judd." But films are secondary in Vikram's life, and what really has all his attention is his five-year-old daughter Safira.

He says he is the typical overprotective father. "Once she starts mentioning dating and boys, I'll keep a gun on me," he says, only half-joking.

"I have a big influence on her life. I'm happy with the way her mom has raised her.

She's a nice little girl who likes to play with her friends. I am the only male who is close to her.

We play together, have baths together and I ask her questions about boys, and she gets very shy." He then adds, "I am not afraid of my daughter following in my footsteps, she's a very strong little girl.

There are things I am notorious for; I am sure she will eventually read about them. There were some pictures of me with an American actress that came out, and she was like 'Daddy, daddy, what are you doing?' But she's her own person and I'll be like any other Indian father.

I'll protect her and give her what she wants. When I got separated, I thought I wouldn't be spending much time with her, and that's what made me depressed and led to my drinking habit.

" What many people don't know is that Vikram is very superstitious and follows astrology closely. He even planned the birth of his first child around November.

"I believe in birthdates and astrology. I made sure my daughter was born a Scorpio because I get along with Scorpios really well.

I have a Scorpio tattoo, and 'Safira' inked on my arm. When Scorpios come in contact with other Scorpios, they become more passionate.

My close friend Sussanne Roshan is a Scorpio, and all we do is talk about being Scorpios. Any girl I've ever come across who was a Scorpio has challenged me, and been artistic and passionate.

I say stuff like 'knock on wood' and I bless myself with things, because I believe there's a force that's greater than us." Vikram also clears rumours about any tiff with his estranged wife, Priya (Sachdev).

"Priya and I talk about Safira all the time. We are really proud parents.

There are no hard feelings. In any relationship, it's tough, but if you're smart and mature, you will make sacrifices and make each other happy.

I am very proud of the way Priya has brought Safira up." (less)