Emraan Hashmi goes the six-pack way

Emraan Hashmi is all set to change his serial kisser image with his upcoming film Once Upon A Time In Mumbai – he will flaunt six-pack abs and will be seen challenging an underworld don. Director Milan Luthria says that he purposely wanted to give Emraan this look.”Emraan has always been the underdog and his character is that of a rebel, a dark horse. I wanted to break his serial kisser image and add shock value to the film,” Luthria said.”I chose Emraan and then styled him this way as it was extremely difficult to find a youngster who in levels of intensity could be equal and at same time opposite to that of Ajay Devgn.

“The film is based on the Mumbai underworld of the seventies and Emraan’s character challenges the underworld don, played by Ajay.”The role in the film demanded a look like this. It’s not just about the six packs, my character had to look physically tough. It was one of the key requirements of the script,” Emraan said.The actor, who has done hit films like Murder, Kalyug, Jannat and Raaz – The Mystery Continues, underwent rigorous training and followed a strict diet regime to obtain the sculpted body.Emraan was given the angular training method and the training period was divided into blocks of 10 days.

The actor was advised to have five-six meals a day and followed guidelines like consuming fats, which were four and five grams of fish oil for fat loss, walnuts and almonds, carb manipulation for losing fat and maintaining muscle mass and protein intake. Earlier, Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan went for six-packs for Om Shanti Om and Ghajini respectively. Shahid Kapoor is doing two better — he will show off eight-pack abs in his forthcoming film Chance Pe Dance.Once Upon A Time… also stars Kangna Ranaut and Prachi Desai and is expected to hit screens in June next year.

Girls all over Emraan Hashmi

The serial kisser was at the receiving end of kisses from his female fans in Kolkata last week while promoting his upcoming film Tum Mile, co-starring Soha Ali Khan.Emraan Hashmi was caught off guard while he was about to step onto an escalator in a mall where the promotional event was being held.

A group of his female fans approached him quietly and threw themselves upon him.
One of the girls planted kisses on Emi boy’s cheeks. In the melee, Emraan’s shirt ripped apart. The actor took this outpouring of adulation from female fans sportingly, even though he emerged out of it with lip-stick stains on his cheek and a torn shirt.

The next thing Emraan did was to buy a brand new shirt and replace it with the torn one. Emraan made a light of the whole incident but his wife Parveen might be feeling a bit jealous.

Emraan Hashmi’s chocolate boy look in Tum Mile

After being hailed as a ‘Serial Kisser’ till a couple of years back (before Awarapan brought a complete turnaround in the perception of him as an actor and also as a person), no one would have ever imagined that Emraan Hashmi could one fine day romance a girl in the meadows, roam around the lakes and dance in the middle of the trees. That naughty streak never seemed to leave him while that mischievous smile coupled with that look in his eyes meant that he had his own loyal following.

Meanwhile Emraan continued to evolve and experiment over a period of time. One of the prime transformations that he made was getting a different look and getup for each of his outings. And the result is a ‘chocolate’ boy look that he is happy to flaunt in his upcoming release Tum Mile. Since in the recent times, actors like Aamir Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor and even Saif Ali Khan have found a loyal set of followers for themselves, courtesy their ‘chocolate’ looks, Emraan Hashmi going through this makeover doesn’t quite come as a surprise.

“When Kunal (Deshmukh), director of Tum Mile, told me that in this movie he wants me to carry minimal stubble, be close to clean shaven and also wear bright colors like pinks and purples - I thought this would be a great challenge to take up”, says Emraan who has paired up with Soha Ali Khan in this romantic entertainer with ample thrills in it, “In one part of the film I am would be seen in trendy T-shirts and denims. On the other hand, there is another part where I am in office formals and spectacles. It was a nice contrast for me actually.”

Going through a look makeover isn’t something new to Emraan. In Gangster, he was a bespectacled and unassuming undercover agent. Kalyug featured him as a dyed-hair rogue. Awarapan had Emraan in the most powerful role of his career as he boasted of a ‘gang lord’ appearance. He did come close to chocolate boy in Jannat where he played a boy next door in the initial reels of the film. However, he got an altogether different persona for himself when he sported a goatee and spiked hair in horror thriller Raaz -The Mystery Continues.

Says Emraan about his various get-ups so far, “I have always tried to do justice to the characters that I have played without trying to look conventionally good. In Gangster, I had to be unassuming and look totally harmless, and that’s where spectacles came in. In Raaz - The Mystery Continues, I had to look like a maverick painter who had some deep secrets within. Spiked hair, goatee and the jackets helped a lot. I experimented similarly in Kalyug and Awaarapan too.”

Doesn’t he feel that by trying out ‘chocolate’ boy looks in Tum Mile, he is perhaps going a little too far? Won’t it be better to be in his comfort zone?

“But what really is a comfort zone today?” Emraan shoots back, “On one hand we say that we should look at change and give audience something new every time. On the other hand, we try to slot actors in a fixed image. Yes, I know that people might say this is not my zone. But then it’s a matter of being comfortable with what you are trying to achieve. Once you have done that, your inner confidence will reflect in your personality.”

With the release of the first song from Tum Mile, he is happy with the feedback that he has received so far. “Yes, so far the reactions have been quite encouraging. All of us associated with the film were confident that this new look will do complete justice to my character”, says Emraan, “I have been lucky my risks have paid off. I don’t think any other lead actor in recent times would have risked to experiment with the looks like I did and still find continuous acceptance by the audiences. I am blessed!”

In Tum Mile, Emraan plays an artist. While his role is that of a university student in one part of the film, during the other, he gets into the garb of a corporate professional. A love story, Tum Mile is set in the backdrop of 26th July’05 deluge. The film is also special for the Bhatts since it sees Vishesh Films, Sony Music and Emraan Hashmi coming together again after the first hit of the year Raaz -The Mystery Continues.

I'm Not Just Fighting For Muslims: Emraan Hashmi

It's a case of "Chinese whispers," says Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi, now that the hype and hoopla surrounding his controversial search for a home is over. "I wanted to draw attention to discrimination in general, but what ultimately came out of my quotes and interviews was that Muslims in the city are being wronged," says the star, who recently alleged that he wasn't sold a home in Mumbai's upmarket Pali Hill neighbourhood, because he is Muslim. "It happens to other communities too. I just find it unfair that a law-abiding, tax-paying citizen cannot decide where he or she wants to live." Officials from the housing society did not respond to repeated requests for comment. But in other reports they have insisted that Hashmi's allegation is "baseless", and claimed he was denied the house because proper procedures for acquiring the NOC had not been followed.

Now, the owner of the home in Nibbana housing society says that he does not want to sell at all. While Hashmi may have given up on the home, he isn't backing down from the fight at large. "I have filed a complaint with the State Minorities Commission, and hopefully the right steps will be taken," says the actor who believes that it is up to India's youth to make a difference. "I took up this cause because I believe that if you want to change the country, you have to start at home. This practice of denying someone a home based on their religion has existed for so long, that people have started to accept it, but I won't," he asserted.

The reactions to Hashmi's claim have been manifold. In a film industry where many of reigning largely dominated by Muslims, Hashmi got surprisingly little sympathy from his Bollywood brethren. India's reigning superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan came out to say that the fact that Muslim actors are at the top in India, is testament to the county's secular nature. A local politician even slammed Hashmi for making inflammatory remarks and instigating religious divide. And the blogger world in Pakistan is abuzz with this story, one of which is calling secular India a 'myth'.

But others from the Indian Islamic community assert that Hashmi's cry for change isn't a publicity ploy. Young urban Muslims like 26 year-old Anamara Baig looking to rent/buy a space in Mumbai are disoriented by the 'so-called cosmopolitan' city. "I knew that certain housing societies did not permit Muslims to live there, but I experienced it first-hand this week. My real estate options are already cut by 50% because of my religion," says the program reviewer for an NGO, adding, "I love Mumbai city which is why I am more disappointed than angry."But this isn't the only community that has found housing society doors slammed shut. It is a known fact that several building complexes across Mumbai refuse buyers based on their caste, religion, dietary preferences and marital status.

Hashmi is well aware of the reactions and debates that his allegation has spurred on, but he believes the ultimate outcome will be positive. "I have got an overwhelming response to my stand against religious discrimination. Letters are pouring in and those with similar experiences, not just from Mumbai, are now talking about it publicly," he says.

The Bollywood star has been made to wear the tag of 'serial kisser' in the past — owing to his choice of racy films — but he refuses to wear one based on his religion. India has long had housing societies based on religion or ethnicity. As India becomes more urbanized and globalized, Indians will have to ponder whether such societies should continue.

After Salman, Shah Rukh Slams Emraan for ‘flat’ fiasco

Emraan Hashmi’s publicity stunt has fallen flat. Against his hope that the Khans will come out in his support when he raised his voice over communalism issue in Mumbai on being denied the NOC to purchase a flat in the posh Pali Hill area, he is being slammed instead of being celebrated by Muslim actors in Bollywood. After Salman rebuffed Hashmi’s claim, Shah Rukh brushed aside the issue stating that such incidents should not be given importance.
Shah Rukh, who is a Muslim but prefers to call himself a ‘secular Indian’, said, “I have never been treated differently because of my religion. I am 44 years old now and never in my life have I felt discriminated.”

Shah Rukh further stated that he cannot deny the existence of such incidents but added, “It is a one-off incident and should not be given too much importance. We are a fast growing nation and the reason for our development is the fact that we have overcome the barriers of religion, castes, class in our hearts and minds. We should not let these small incidents affect us.”

The actor was in New Delhi to conduct a quiz show organised by Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM).

Earlier, superstar Salman Khan laughed off Hashmi’s claim in his characteristic drawl, saying, "Emraan Hashmi would not have been Emraan Hashmi if Mumbai was not secular." Salman Khan further said, "If communalism existed then Salman Khan would not have been Salman Khan, Aamir not Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh not Shah Rukh Khan. Injustice may have happened to others, but it has not happened to us. I have always got love and support from all quarters."

Moreover, Nibbana, the Housing Society in the posh Pali Hill area of suburban Bandra in Mumbai, has also rubbished actor Emraan Hashmi`s allegation that he was denied NOC for flat ownership because he is a Muslim and said that proper procedures for acquiring the NOC had not been followed.

Society Secretary Capt J P Chhetry said that the actor with his baseless allegations and minority card rake-up had inflicted lot of damage on the society. "We will not take this lying down," he said adding that the society is taking legal opinion.

He added that the incident was blown out of proportion as the flat has not yet been sold to the actor. "Last week, when the actor`s parents entered the society office when we were discussing this important matter demanding to know about the NOC status, I politely told them that the matter has been deferred and they had not made a formal application," said Chhetry.

Salman disagrees with Hashmi over Flat issue

Filmstar Salman Khan on Friday said he did not agree with fellow actor Emraan Hashmi's charge that he was denied an NOC to purchase a flat in the posh Bandra locality because he was a Muslim.

"If religious profiling indeed happened, Emraan Hashmi would not have been what he is today. Similarly, Salman, Aamir and Shah Rukh Khan would not be what they are today," Salman told reporters on the sidelines of a function in Mumbai.

He said such incidents could take place because of individual personality and not because the individual belongs to a particular religion.

However, Salman felt such discrimination on religious grounds could exist in some places.

"I would appeal to the Nibbana Housing society in Bandra to provide the required NOC to Emraan," he said.