Emraan Hashmi out of kissing fix

Wednesday, July 04, 2007
UNI: His sizzling 'Lover Boy' portrayals in films like Murder, Aashiq Banaya Aapne, Aksar and Gangster have won him a huge female fan following in the country.

Critics may dismiss Emraan Hashmi as a 'serial kisser' but there is no denying the fact that his 'lover boy' persona on screen has endeared him to many a female fan, who loved to watch his exuding sexuality in films like Murder and Aashiq Banaya Aapne.

For Emraan, however, his ubiquitous image of a 'lover boy' is an ''image trap'' he is desperate to get out of. ''Casting or presenting an actor before the public in a particular image or set image is a way for the media and the filmmakers to exploit his popularity in that image in a bid to draw in the audiences. This is what happened with me with a series of films in the recent past featuring me in the 'lover boy' type of roles. However, I must say that I have been, for quite some time now, feeling in a rut being typecast in such roles,'' Emraan said.

Fortunately for the actor, his new film Awarapan has him play a ''gangster with a heart full of love'', who helps free a Pakistani girl from the clutches of human trafficking, a role far removed from his portrayals till date.

On the eve of Awarapan release, Emraan said, "Somehow, I was getting sick of what I was doing. Somewhere inside me, I felt that if I want to last in the industry, I would have to do something different." Thanking the Bhatts for coming to his rescue by offering him a film, which could help him get out of his 'lover boy' image, Emraan said, "Thankfully, for the first time, I will not be seen kissing in this film." He said the response to the film so far showed that cinegoers had appreciated him in his new 'avataar'.

"After the release of Awarapan on June 29, I have got hundreds of SMSes complementing me on my performance as the gangster Shivam who undergoes a change in heart through the power of love. Also the film has evoked an overwhelming response, specially from the overseas audience. It is the kind of reaction that I got after Murder," Emraan said.

"I'd like to say that Awarapan has definitely given a second lease of life to my career. Henceforth, my endeavour would be to explore different kinds of roles and diverse genres of films," Emraan said.

Talking about Awarapan, the actor said, "It is a interesting story in which a Hindu saves a Pakistani girl from the clutches of human trafficking. Though it was a slow starter, it is slowly picking up. I feel such a subject has the potential to pick up by word of mouth." Among his forthcoming films is Zannat, a film about cricket betting where Emraan plays a cricket bookie. Then there is the sequel of Raaz which is a horror film. The film is still in scripting and the full cast to be finalised.