Han of all trades makes directing debut

"Come on, I think I know what you want to ask," says Han Han, China's famous author, racer and opinion leader at his first news conference talking about his directorial debut. The 32-year-old has just wrapped up the filming of Hou Hui Wu Qi - literally "We won't meet sooner". It is a road-trip comedy about youth and farewells, "but not slapstick. I don't like characters-shout-at-the-camera comedy."

The newcomer to the film industry is confident when speaking to the media - but he is no stranger to the press pack. Like most celebrities who become famous at a young age, Han has received accolades and criticism in equal measure, ever since he won the top prize in New Concept, a well-known national writing contest, when he was only 18.

He was considered a writing prodigy but later faced allegations of ghostwriting. He fought with veteran writers online, and refused to join the Chinese Writers' Association. His fans - his Sina Weibo micro blog account has 38 million followers - worship him, while his critics disdain his works and dismiss them for not being serious literature. He is also an experienced racecar driver, holding three national trophies.