Two kisses and a steamy song: Soha sheds all inhibitions

Soha Ali Khan is finally coming out of the shell and recent pictures from Tum Mile are ample proof of that.

After locking lips with Emraan Hashmi for the film, the duo has now shot a steamy music video at at a Yari Road bungalow which will be used for the promotion of the movie.

While talking to a tabloid director Kunal Deshmukh reveals, "When I told Soha about the music video, her initial reaction was: 'What? You are selling sex!' She has this asexual tag to her.

It is like Soha is not a sexy actress. But she has a great body and her 'no kiss, no this and no that' persona on screen is finally breaking through her head. She is now shedding all her inhibitions."

Earlier, Kunal wanted to direct it himself but felt that it looked too made-up. That’s why; he asked Emraan and Soha to direct it themselves. He wanted the song to have an amateur feel.

So, the two of them were handed video cameras and asked to shoot each other. Kunal is satisfied with the way the video has come out. Emraan and Soha enjoyed the experience as they felt they weren’t under any pressure.

It is learnt that, Soha was intially not comfortable doing steamy scenes with Emraan but finally, on Deshmukh's insistence, she understood the need of the script and agreed to do it.

“Well, at the beginning, I was a little reluctant and didn’t want to go ahead with the second kiss because the script demanded just one as was told to me.

But when Kunal explained the seriousness of the requirement for another kiss in the song, saying it would convey an entirely different mood, I agreed to do it. But it’s a sweet, tame kiss and shot in good taste. The song is itself so beautiful that the kiss just adds a little more to it. After watching the song, I really loved it and understood how important the scene was,” says Soha.

Adds Emraan, “I don’t think that there is any issue at all. Even I was told that there is just one kissing scene in the film, but when the second kiss scene piled on from the director’s point of view, the question was natural. So, I think Soha was correct in her reluctance. But she did understand the need of the scene and we did it comfortably.”

Soha ali khan and Emraan Hashmi selling SEX for Tum mile?

Soha Ali Khan has now shot for a steamy music video after doing two liplocks with Emraan Hashmi in Tum Mile.

"When I told Soha about the music video, her initial reaction was: 'What? You are selling sex!' She has this asexual tag to her. It is like Soha is not a sexy actress. But she has a great body and her 'no kiss, no this and no that' persona on screen is finally breaking through her head. She is now shedding all her inhibitions.", says director Kunal Deshmukh.

It is learnt that Saif Ali Khan's sister was apprehensive about doing the sensual video. "But I did not want the usual backdrop dancers in it with the actors," explains Kunal. "She and her co-star Emraan Hashmi, who plays an artist, essay a live-in couple. It gelled with the video's concept about moments spent at his art studio."

Pritam, who has scored the music for the Vishesh Productions project has Kay Kay singing the Dil Ibadat track for the video. "It has been specially shot for the promotions of Tum Mile. Right now, I have not decided whether I will include it in the end credits. I will take a call on it more closer to the film's release in November," points out Deshmukh.

Emraan and Soha's promotional song for Tum Mile

For their upcoming film Tum Mile, Emraan Hashmi and Soha Ali Khan recently shot a promotional video for the track 'Dil Ibadat'. Even though the film version of the song has already been canned, the makers felt that an added promotional music video would add impetus to the film's music sales as well as theatrical run.

"There is a film version that we have already canned during the principal shooting of the film. However, it didn't have lip synch and was primarily a montage track. We felt that a lip synch version shot as a music video would bring a different flavour for 'Dil Ibadat'", says Emraan Hashmi.

Incidentally ever since the beginning of his career, Emraan Hashmi has always struck gold when it comes to chartbuster music videos.

"Music of Tum Mile is such that it deserves to be promoted to the fullest", Emraan Hashmi says, "Pritam's music is fantabulous enough to warrant not just the film version but also the music videos. We are yet to take a call on whether both the versions of 'Dil Ibadat' would play separately in the film or would be merged into one."

Tum Mile would be the first instance when Emraan Hashmi would be paired with Soha Ali Khan. In her short career so far, Soha hasn't featured in too many music videos and appearing in one such video opposite Emraan was indeed quite special for her.

The video was shot indoors by director Kunal Deshmukh himself. Even though Mohit Suri is considered to be an in-house specialist for Bhatts when it comes to making music videos for their projects, Kunal took the onus on himself to execute 'Dil Ibadat'. Earlier, Mohit Suri has shot music videos for not just his own Raaz - The Mystery Continues but also for Jashnn that had director duo of Raksha Mistry and Hasnain Hyderabadwala at the helm.

"Yes, Kunal wanted to shoot 'Dil Ibadat' in a way that he had envisioned it from the very beginning. This is why it made sense to have him to carry on with this shoot as well. As a captain of the ship, he knows the best", smiles Emraan who is now eagerly awaiting the release date of the film i.e. 13th November.

In Sayeed Quadri written 'Dil Ibadat', singer K.K. has an award winning number in hand if presented in a highly passionate and dramatic manner, something which goes with the genre of the song. This could well be the 'Khuda Jaane' [Bachna Ae Haseeno] moment for Pritam if aided by good picturisation.

Moreover Bhatts as well as Sony Music have massive plans for the film's promotion in weeks to come. This is the reason why they have opened their campaign two months in advance with the music CDs out on stands.

Says Emraan, "We are looking at promoting Tum Mile to the fullest. We have quite a few good songs up our sleeves and we want each of these tracks to reach out to people before the film hits the screens. We want the music to reach its peak and make people long for getting into the theaters. Along with that theatrical and other talkie promos will run as well, hence continuing to give audience the actual feel of the film."

MUSIC REVIEW: Emraan's Tum Mile

An Emraan Hashmi-Mahesh Bhatt collaboration is always special. They have arguably backed some of the most exceptional music in recent times. Gangster, Awarapan, Jaanat, Raaz – The Mystery Continues…and many more in the past. Which is why their latest offering Tum Mile, comes with a baggage of tremendous expectations. But the big question is – Will Pritam deliver another Jannat?

Tum Mile opens with a surprise. Unlike most Emraan Hashmi soundtracks, there is no intense KK number to set the mood. Instead we have a peppy Neeraj Shridhar track, where the singer showcases his softer side. Tum Mile's title song is easy on the ears and maintains it's fun filled tempo. If you liked Soniye... in Raaz – The Mystery Continues then Tum Mile... should work big time.

The song gets an altogether new spin with Shafaqat Amanat Ali's rock version. This time the arrangements are more dramatic in sound. Javed Ali's version of the title song is perhaps the best of the lot. Simple beats, melodious singing.

KK makes his grand entry with the brilliant Dil Ibadat. Very well written and beautifully composed, Dil Ibadat has the signature Bhatt camp style all over it. It's a worthy successor to Tu Hi Meri Shab (Gangster) and Zara Si Dil Mein (Jannat). Dil Ibadat is an instant winner. Few singers can express pain as effectively as KK does.

There is another rock version of the song. But frankly except for a few guitars here and there, the feel is pretty much the same.

Just when one was getting over the previous track, comes Tu Hi Haqeeqat. While the feel is similar to Dil Ibadat, Pritam cleverly uses a different voice. Javed Ali gives Tu Hi Haqeeqat a distinct character. This is yet another fantastic composition by Pritam and should be on the charts very soon.

Mohit Chauhan changes his regular style in the fast paced Is Jahaan Mein. A fast paced, fun number this one has a bit of Jazz and Indi Pop rolled into each other. Though not instantly catchy, it's Chauhan's singing that towers over the tune.

The instrumental theme is a situational music piece that depicts the grim mood of a natural disaster in the film. Surprisingly, there is no female voice in any of the songs. Neither are there any fast-paced remixes. The Bhatts have also kept their Sufi Pop flavour to the minimum this time.

The mood is pretty much 'senti' throughout. But then that's always been Hashmi's calling card. With so much noise being churned out in the name of music, Tum Mile is a refined stuff.

Verdict: Tum Mile has some wonderful compositions – which are further enhanced by the lyrics. However, there are no overnight chartbusters. It remains to be seen if the masses give it a thumping response. Tum Mile is quality music that needs patience to grow.

Rating: 3/5

Emraan Hashmi speaks out!

Actor Emraan Hashmi raised a storm about being discriminated as a Muslim. Here are some FAQs:

With Mahesh Bhatt’s help, you ran an entire campaign against the Pali Hill Society for discriminating against you for being a Muslim, only to pull out. Why?

I didn’t pull out. I have mentioned this earlier too. It is a clear example of how Chinese whispers operate. There is a certain section of the press that stated this.

After the Minority Commission’s meeting, you said that there was some miscommunication because of the agent and the Society did not discriminate against you.

I repeat that I did not say that there was any miscommunication. I stand by what I said. It was some media house that radically distorted what I said. I sat down for a small two minute press conference after we adjourned the meeting and said that the matter has been blown out of proportion. I also advised the press to speak to the Minority Commission representatives and my lawyer and take their legal comments. My silence was misconstrued as backtracking. The press divided itself. Some said that I am backtracking and some were fair and said that the decision was the Commission’s verdict.

When you were denied a No Objection Certificate by the Society, what gave you the impression that they are discriminating against you because you are a Muslim?

I don’t want to go back into what I said a week ago because it has already created a lot of controversy. I didn’t make a hue and cry out of thin air. I had reasons to believe that they discriminated against me on religious grounds.

The media alleges that you gave up the issue for peace. What was the pressure?

The best way to resolve the issue was to approach a legal body, which was the Minority Commission. They were a hearing and both the parties sat across the table. The Minority Commission felt that the issue had been blown out of the proportion and had been politicized. They wanted to reach a peaceful agreement. I respected the Commission’s stand and accepted their verdict. Having said that, when I was in the meeting I did not back out from my stand. I did raise the issue of discrimination against Muslims.

The Society residents now expect a public apology.

Nothing of that sort. A lot of these things were cleared up in the meeting. The press had written that my parents had barged in the Society meeting but the Society accepted that nothing like that had happened.

So will you be buying the flat now?

Right now, the seller has backed out. But the Society has told me that there will be no issues if I want to buy a flat.

It is alleged that this controversy was a publicity stunt.

There are people who are saying that it is a publicity stunt. As an actor, as a citizen of this country I have the right to speak up about my experiences. Rather than breathe down my throat and tell me that what I am doing is wrong, why not hear someone out.

Nobody from Bollywood, except Mahesh Bhatt, supported you. Salman Khan even said that the matter depends on a person’s character and not religion.

That’s wrong. Lots of people spoke up for me. That’s his point of view. Because it has not happened to them does not mean it cannot happen to me. At the same time, I don’t want to generalize and say that it happens with the entire country. I am talking about my individual experiences and I should be given a chance to speak about it. that what I am doing is wrong, why not hear someone out.

Hashmi's U-turn, blames miscommunication for controversy

In a U-turn, actor Emraan Hashmi, who had alleged that he was denied a flat by a housing society because he was Muslim, claimed there was no discrimination against him and the controversy arose because of a "miscommunication".

"The dispute between me and the members of Nibbana housing society has been resolved. The society had not discriminated against me. There had been a miscommunication," Hashmi, who had sparked a furore with his allegation of religious profiling, told reporters after a hearing on his complaint at the State Minorities Commission.

Hashmi's lawyer Majeed Memon said that a broker Jagjit Arora had told the actor that the society had refused to sell the flat as Hashmi was a Muslim.

"The secretary of the society today told Emraan that they had not discriminated against the actor and that if anyone in the building wants to sell their flat then Emraan can buy it," Memon said.

Secretary J P Chatri told the Commission that "they would not refuse the actor on religious grounds as there are several other Muslims residing in the building," the lawyer said.

The owner of the flat D U Suvarna, who was also present during the hearing, said he would be more than happy to sell the flat to the actor who is like a "son" to him.

"I have not decided on what I will do with my flat. But if I decide to sell the flat then my first choice would be Hashmi," Suvarna said.

On July 31, the actor approached the Minorities Commission accusing the housing society in posh Pali Hill of religious profiling by refusing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to him to purchase a flat in the society.

The society houses film and television actors including well known villain Prem Chopra.

"The issue has been blown out of proportion by the media. It was a miscommunication and has been resolved after all the parties sat across the table," Naseem Siddiqui, Chairman of the Minorities Commission said.