Vidya-Emraan to pair up once again!

Now this one's an 'ooh la la' pairing! Bollywood's serial kisser Emraan Hashmi and "The Dirty Picture" star Vidya Balan have been cast opposite each other for comic-thriller "Ghanchakkar". The two hope to rock it. A UTV Motion Pictures' project, the quirky film is expected to go on floors in August and will be directed by Rajkumar Gupta, who worked with Vidya in "No One Killed Jessica".

Gupta, who claims "Ghanchakkar" is one of his "best projects till date", says a lot of thought went behind casting the two actors in the movie.

"As a director, you always visualise certain actors for the roles and if you are not required to compromise on the casting; you have won half the battle," said Gupta.

"This is the first time I am going to be working with Emraan, who, I think, will do complete justice to the role... and this is the first time the audiences will see him essay a role of an eccentric man.

"Having worked with Vidya before, she was definitely my first choice for the role. It'll be a delight to get her to work in an entirely new genre in a totally different avatar and in a quirky, mad, out-of-the-box role. The two leads and the crackling chemistry between them will take the viewers on a laughter ride," he added.

"Ghanchakkar" tells the story of Sanju (Emraan), an ex-conman who is laid back and has a taste for finer things in life. The problem is his ambitious wife (played by Vidya).

Vidya and Emraan are excited about being paired again after "The Dirty Picture".

"As an actor, all you want to do is reach out to the audiences with diverse yet entertaining roles. Having said that, the story, the director, the co-actors, producer, play an extremely critical role while selecting a film. With 'Ghanchakkar', it all just fell in place," said Vidya.

"When you have worked with an actor before, there is a certain amount of comfort that is brought to the table. Emraan is a brilliant co-star and together we hope to rock it," she added.

Emraan said: "I jumped on board when Rajkumar offered it to me. It's a brilliant story factoring all the essential components - comedy, thrilling, edgy and entertaining, which is sure to connect with the audiences. It is undoubtedly going to be a challenging role for me, something that I haven't attempted before. "And now to add to the excitement, me and Vidya will be seen on screen together again and am sure, under Rajkumar's apt direction, we will recreate the magic on screen."

Murder 3 is definitely on the cards

We haven’t started work on a script yet, but it should flag off by mid-2012. We have no choice. After the super success of Murder (2004) and Murder 2, we have to take the franchise forward,” asserts Emraan Hashmi, unfazed by the scathing criticism his straggly locks, tattooed six-pack and bored disinterest in Jacqueline Fernandes has drawn, along with an almost nauseating reaction to the relentless blood fest.

He points out that like Hollywood’s Kill Bill (2003), Murder 2 also has no reference point in Bollywood. “We’ve not seen a movie as gory as this one before. Maybe two per cent of the ‘enlightened’ audience didn’t have the stomach for it, but going by box-office figures, the remaining 89 per cent seem to have digested it well,” he reasons. “I see it becoming a trendsetter for violent entertainers in stark, semi-realistic settings that mirror a society where the Nithari killings brought cannibalism into our homes in the 21st century.”

Recalling how the censors refused a U/A certificate to the film’s first promos because of a line that went, ‘Tere tukde kare char’ (will cut you into four pieces), Emraan argues that news channels had gone to town about how Neeraj Grover’s body was chopped into 500 pieces by Emile Jerome Joseph in the Maria Susairaj case. He admits that maybe his dad didn’t “get it” but today’s generation connected with it going by the deafening response to his entry scene. And the clapping and whistling was not limited to the single screens. It continued into the usually-not-so-vocal multiplexes too.

“Even my wife liked it,” smiles Emraan. “And given that it got the second biggest opening after Ready, I’d say that today, as a dependable star, I’m second only to Salman Khan, though I’ve never walked the traditional path.” He begins work on 3D Raaz 3 next and says the plan is for the Raaz sequel to surpass the numbers of Murder 2. But Murder 3, when it happens, will be bigger, better and bloodier. Will he be part of it? “Of course,” he asserts. ”They cannot make a Murder film without me.”

Hashmi film gets adults-only certificate

Emraan Hashmi's latest film has received an adults-only rating because of its discussion of pornography and virginity.

The Indian censorship board objected to at least ten scenes in Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji, including several of Hashmi's character having sex, the Mumbai Mirror has reported.

Speaking to the paper, a spokesman for the board said: “The entire theme is blatantly adult.

"You guys have discussed virginity and pornography. This film in its present state is definitely not fit to be shown to kids."

Director Madhur Bhandakar said that he was disappointed with the verdict on the so-called romantic comedy.

Hashmi, who is nicknamed 'serial kisser' by the Indian press, is known for his on-screen clinches.

I just wanted to trim the duration of our kissing

Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi, known for his on-screen kisses, says he enjoys essaying grey characters even as he is trying to be a good father in real life. In his new release, "Crook", he will be seen playing a dark role.

"I have always played characters with grey shades and I like it. I like a certain realism to the characters I'm playing. In reality too, I always suspect people who claim they have done only good things in their lives, " Emraan, 31, told in an interview.

"I don't believe people who say they haven't experienced jealousy, greed, because I feel all these emotions are felt by everyone. We all go through a phase where we feel guilty about doing something. I have made mistakes."
Any plans of doing a goody-two-shoes role?

"I might do something very positive in future, but as of now I'm quite happy doing the roles I've been offered, " said Emraan who was seen as a baddie in films like "Murder", "Gangster - A Love Story" and "Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai".

Slated to hit the screens Oct 8, "Crook" has been directed by Mohit Suri and revolves round the issue of racial attacks on Indians in Australia.

"I play a character who is aggressive but at the same time is endearing and funny. He believes in this weird motto that it's good to be bad because he feels that good guys finish last."

There were reports that he had a rift with producer Mahesh Bhatt over a kissing scene in "Crook".

"I just wanted to trim the duration of the kissing scene a little bit, but Bhatt saab wanted to retain the original length. There was no verbal dispute and no rift at all. It was just a discussion. If a role demands something, I'm all for it, " he clarified.

In real life, Emraan is trying to be a doting father - he became a dad early this year and says he loves the experience of fatherhood but is very bad at carrying out the duties of a parent.

"I'm very bad at daddy duties. I try and change diapers but I fail, can't do that. It's quite a task to take care of a baby, so I leave it to my wife. Playing is easy, I do that, " said a visibly amused Emraan who tied the knot with Parveen Shahani in 2006.

Emraan and Parveen have named their son Ayaan and the actor tries to get back home to spend some quality time with his little boy.

"I try to be on time to meet my son before he sleeps so that he doesn't start calling me uncle one fine day. I don't want that after six months or so he doesn't recognise me. When I go out for promotional tours, he doesn't recognise me when I come back, " he said.

"I just keep shuffling time between my work and my family and my kid. It gets tough but you have to be around. I have become disciplined but I have not really changed as a person. I have not become matured - what usually happens with a lot of people, " he said.

Emraan, Neha in Pune to promote Crook

PUNE: Emraan Hashmi and Neha Sharma arrived in Pune to promote his upcoming new film Crook- It's Good To Be Bad, being released on October 8, 2010 by Vishesh Films.

The film is launch pad for Neha Sharma.

The film is based on the issue of racial discrimination with the Indians abroad, especially highlighting the recent attacks on Indians in Australia. Directed by Mohit Suri, the film stars Emraan Hashmi and newcomer Neha Sharma along with Arjan Bajwa.

Producer Mahesh Bhatt said, "Crook- It's Good To Be Bad, both entertains and enlightens the viewer. It takes an unflinching look at the burning issue of racism which has devastated the life of thousands of young Indians, who go to Australia in search of a better life putting not only all their money but even their lives at stake. The film also locks horns with our own inner demons."

"Seldom in life do you have the good fortune to hold your head high with pride after watching the first cut of one's own movie. Crook is one such film from our production house which makes one proud. The film manages to do what most films aspire to do but seldom succeed. Mohit Suri has shown the complex truth of Racism in Australia in a very entertaining way," added Mukesh Bhatt.

Suri said, "Racism and all other social evils are a part of every human heart, irrespective of his class, creed, color or sex. Good and bad, god and evil lie within us. It's our choice to decide is it good to be bad in today's world or does it pay to be good?"

Emraan wants thse erotic scenes deleted from Crook

Emraan Hashmi is in an argument with his uncle & veteran Film-Maker Mahesh Bhatt over some really steamy scenes with Shella Allen in his upcoming film ‘CROOK-It’s Good to Be Bad’, which releases on 8th of October 2010.

Infact it is the first time ever that the serial kisser Emraan is wanting erotic content to be cut down from his film. The actor has been lately been enjoying a lot of success as his first film outside the Bhatt banner, Once Upon a Time In Mumbai (OUATIM) became a massive hit.

Henceforth, Emraan has become very image conscious as OUATIM didn’t have much intimate scenes either but the film did very well.

So Emraan feels that sensuality in Crook is only required till a certain point and not beyond the limit, and that is what the topic of debate is between Mr. Bhatt and Hashmi.

However Mr. Bhatt is adamant on retain the scenes as they are. It seems that Emraan has had his cake in the film but now it’s becoming difficult for him to digest it!

Wife slaps me for screen kisses

Emraan Hashmi has admitted that his wife is annoyed by his notorious habit of kissing his female co-stars on screen.

The actor, known as 'the serial kisser' in Bollywood, has a romantic scene with a non-Indian actress in his latest film Crook.

He told New Kerala: "I am awaiting my quota of slaps after she watches Crook.

"I do get slapped around by my wife always after she comes out of the first screenings of my films.

"Obviously I expect her not to understand but she knows that these are my professional decisions which I have to comply with.”

Hashmi added that the intimate kissing scene in the thriller was not gratuitous and was a "trigger point" in the narrative.

Emraan Hashmi films initimate scene

Emraan Hashmi has filmed a kissing scene for his next release Crook - It's Good To Be Bad.

The actor, who acquired the tag 'serial kisser' when he first entered the industry, has recently taken a break from performing intimate scenes.

The 31-year-old explained to the Hindustan Times: "As the title suggests, I'm this mischievous, rebellious boy from India who deals in piracy and in Australia, plays with the lives of two women simultaneously.

"So some amount of intimacy is justified. I've done it in my usual uninhibited, unapologetic way. I guess, because of my liberal, somewhat westernised upbringing, I've never been leery about kissing."

The actor claimed that he decided to kiss again on screen as his audience expects it.

"It's not as if I was the first actor to do it, but for some reason, it's become a part of my brand identity. Now, even when I don't kiss, it raises as many questions as when I do," he said.

Salman and Shahrukh slam Emraan Hashmi

Bollywood stars have taken strong objection to the communal remarks made by Emraan Hashmi. The Serial Kisser had alleged that he was denied an NOC to purchase a flat in the Nibbana Housing society in the Bandra locality because he was a Muslim. Although his god father Mahesh Bhatt stood in support for the Murder star top Bollywood stars have criticised him for his remarks.

Buzz up!Salman slammed Emraan's comments and said had religious profiling happened in this country Emraan Hashmi would not have been a star. He added that the testament to the secular nature of this country is the stardom that he, Shahrukh and Aamir have achieved. He said that such an incident could have happened due to Emraan's individual character rather than his religious beliefs. Salman however appealed to the housing society to give and NOC to Emraan.

Shahrukh brushed aside the issue stating that such incidents should not be given importance. He said that in the past 44 years he had never felt discriminated in his life. Shahrukh also said that it was an one-off incident and should not be seen with communal eyes. Shahrukh added that India was growing because people had overcome the barriers of religion, castes, class in their hearts and minds.