Abbas-Mustan and Akshaye Khanna go back a long way. Besides working in a number of films together, including the biggest hit of 2008 yet, RACE, the director duo and the actor share a terrific rapport in real life. But there's a twist in the tale, at least that's what the rumor mongers would like us to believe.

Rumors are rife that Akshaye has refused an Abbas-Mustan film, to be directed by someone else, on financial grounds. Apparently, post RACE, Akshaye has hiked his fee four-fold and feels that he deserves an 'x' price, which did not suit Abbas-Mustan's budget.

"The hike [in fee] isn't four-fold, it's eight-fold," Akshaye jokes, but gets serious immediately, "The economics of the industry has undergone a change. But my refusal [of an Abbas-Mustan film] had no financial bearings. The reason was something else altogether."

With MERE BAAP PEHLE AAP hitting the screens this Friday, the actor looks forward to working with Priyadarshan every year. "I really enjoyed working in MERE BAAP PEHLE AAP. In fact, working with Priyan relaxes me completely. I keep telling him that we should work in at least one film every year, lekin doosra Akshay beech mein aa jaata hain," he chuckles.