FIRST LOOK: Right Yaaa Wrong

Mallika Sherawat can't steal my limelight

Irrfan Khan confident about not getting overshadowed in ‘Hisss’

Mallika Sherawat has been grabbing eyeballs with footage of her body-hugging costumes as a snakewoman in Jennifer Lynch's "Hisss", but her co-star Irrfan Khan is unperturbed and says she cannot overshadow him in the movie.

"Mallika can't steal my limelight - never - let her do whatever she does. That's her game. That is not my game. I entertain people. I be myself, do my work in a way that I enjoy and connect with my audience so that they remember my work for at least two years," Irrfan told IANS. He was in New Delhi on Aug 29 for the launch of the seventh season of MTV's adventure reality show "Roadies".

Speaking more about "Hisss", the actor said: "It's a different kind of action adventure film - a very nice take on a story everyone has seen - 'Naagin'. But through that story, the writer and director have incorporated the elements of how we as human beings call ourselves advanced and evolved, but actually we have made ourselves blind to nature.

"We have become just a consumer of nature and are only concerned about extracting things for our use, and in the process we are creating a huge crisis. On the surface, it's just an action sort of a film with lots of nudity and sex and Mallika plays a snakewoman."

Irrfan, who played the inspector in Danny Boyle's multiple Oscar winning movie "Slumdog Millionaire", said it would be unfair to reveal his part as it will spoil the essence of the film.

Other films that he is looking forward to include Sanjay Gupta's "Acid Factory" and "Paan Singh Tomar" - both of which have streaks of action and adventure.

Why this sudden inclination towards the genre?

"I have loved adventure, especially physical sports. When I went to South Africa to shoot for 'Acid Factory', I sky-dived 18,000 feet. It gives you an adrenaline rush. As for the choice of genre, it's not sudden. People have always taken me as a serious actor but I was dying to tell them I am not. As an actor, I need to do all - comedy, tragedy, action and adventure. I want variety," the actor told IANS.

Irrfan is also excited about his stint on "MTV Roadies 7", Indian television's longest running reality show. He will make special appearances to throw open seven twists based on the seven sins - lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride - during the show.

"I agreed on this show for two reasons - because I love action and adventure and because I love travelling. Now I won't be doing action, but I will be compelling the contestants to do a lot of it. I like the show as it's a test of mental and physical endurance. It gives you a chance to challenge yourself," he said.

Acid Factory - First Look

In Pics: Stars at " Acid Factory " Event

HIssss - Movie Wallpapers

In India, we have sex with our clothes on: Irrfan

Nudity has been an issue in the Indian film industry long since. When Hollywood directors descend on B-town, with their concepts, actors are hardly ever wanting to let go off their inhibitions in films. Irrfan Khan recently voiced his opinion on sex scenes for Jennifer Lynch's Hiss.

Irrfan confirms, “Jennifer said I will have to take off my clothes for an intimate scene with Divya Dutta who is playing my wife in the film. I personally think Indian couples make love with their clothes on and I told this to Jennifer.”

He adds, “She was amazed that how can people have sex with their clothes on. I gave her the example of my previous film The Namesake where I had done a passionate lovemaking scene with Tabu and that too with our clothes on. Jennifer was fascinated, but unconvinced."

Irrfan then thought of a new plan. He reasoned that he plays an orthodox Brahmin whose mother-in-law has a habit of walking into his bedroom unannounced. “Given the conditions, my character and his wife would hardly be expected to take off their clothes. And that convinced Jennifer,” What a sigh of relief!

“The most relieved was Divya. She was waiting with bated breath to see if I could manage to convince Jennifer. Once everything was sorted out, our lovemaking scene lasted for about an hour.” Talk about the Indian style of love making!

When we asked Divya Dutta about the scene she said “There is nothing much in it at all. I have a kissing scene with Irrfan Khan in the film, that’s it. That too was very professionally done. When the story demands it, I try to play my character to the fullest, including acting out these scenes. It’s as simple as that.”

The snake woman in the film Mallika Sherawat has had no apprehensions doing a dare bare act throughout the film. We wait to hear from her, the woman with the real fizz...hiss!

New York - Movie Review

The joy of movies is back. The earliest show was full so I went for the second one. New York offered a full house after ages!

Pakistan has Khuda Kay Liye, America has Rendition (Jake Gyllenhall, Reese Witherspoon) and many other films on this theme and now we have New York.

Everyone knows it’s a story of three friends, Maya (Katrina), Omar (Neil) and Sameer (John) whose lives change post 9/11. Omar is the quiet chap who feels out of place, Maya is the sunshine girl and Sam is the centre of attraction. Irrfan Khan plays FBI officer Roshan who sends Omar to keep a check on his friend’s suspicious activities.

New York is a serious and moving film. There are many moments in the film, like the 9/11 scene, the climax, John’s humiliation sequence (authentic; will make you cringe) that move you to tears.

It’s technically brilliant; the cinematography is superb and the background score by Julius Packiam is beautifully designed. Sam’s theme and the New York theme are memorable.

Everyone has delivered good performances. Neil and Irrfan have the most screen time and do full justice to it. Irrfan has the best lines in the movie that make you crack up. Neil is a delight and emotionally expressive, even in difficult scenes. Katrina looks gorgeous, in a very real and natural way. This is her most true-to-life and simple performance so far. She has been perfectly cast as the angrez. John is his stud self in the first half but is brilliant in the scenes when his character is tortured. He isn’t just a pretty face showing off his butt or muscles but acting too.

I knew the ending of the film but I still couldn’t wait to see the events unfold. The film deals with identity issues and racial discrimination. The scene where Irrfan says that only a Muslim can change the Western perception towards Muslims is so true. It shows how wrong America is to torture suspects without evidence and the difficult lives that the victims lead due to the humiliation they suffer at the hands of the FBI. At the same time, it tells us what’s good about America like the diversity, opportunities and the freedom people have. So it is well balanced.

Kabir Khan has made a relevant film that will make you think. You have to pay attention to it to understand the layers. Kudos to him and YRF for making a film so different from their usual masala fare!

Neil: Katrina, John and I are good friends

New York revolves around three friends living in New York whose lives change completely following 9/11. Neil Nitin Mukesh talks about his character in the film and working with John Abraham, Katrina Kaif, Irrfan Khan and Kabir Khan.

On his character in New York
My character is extremely important. Omar is one of the protagonists. He hasn’t really witnessed life and he gets an opportunity to go and witness life. The transformation of a vulnerable boy to a man is shown in the film.

On his rapport with Katrina and John
We had a blast on the sets. We never realized we were making an intense film. We share strong on screen chemistry because off screen, the three of us are very good friends.

I think amongst the three of us, Katrina is the best dancer. She is versatile, flexible and fit.

On Kabir Khan
Kabir is a great director. He is a National award winning director. If it wasn’t for him, the film wouldn’t have been made. It is an intelligent film with strong characters, drama, life, mystery and thrill. New York will even surpass Kabul Express, which I think was brilliant. There is a message that Kabir has left at the end of the film. It will hit people when they see it. Any Indian would be proud watching this film.

On his career so far
I consider myself fortunate to have done such diverse films like Johnny Gaddaar, Aa Dekhen Zara and now New York so early on in my career. These films have given a certain edge to my character and I feel responsible to deliver as an actor. The script is the most important thing for any actor. Characters can only work if the film works on the basis of a strong script.

On working with Irrfan Khan
It was an honour being in the same frame as Mr. Irrfan Khan because he is a legendary actor. He has surpassed all boundaries and reached international fame today. Just watching him act teaches you so much. He is an institution of acting in himself.

New York - First Look