Emraan leaves Jhamela

Date issues

Confirms the actor, currently shooting in Dubai, "It's true that I have decided to opt out of Jhamela. I have too many films on hand and couldn't fit in the dates."

Has he opted out because he is not happy with the way Jawani Diwani has shaped up? "No, I have never had any problems with him or the director. Babloo Pachisia is a great producer, and Manish, a good director. It was just date problems."

Needs a change

But a source close to Emraan says, "Though Jawani Diwani opened decently, and was accepted well, Emraan felt he needed a break from such films. Since Jawani Diwani was launched with the same cast and crew, he felt it should be avoided for the present and doesn't want to blame anyone for the film's turnout."

Image problem

Is the serial kisser image grating on Emraan today? Admits the actor, "Yes, it is time for a change of image, but it is something that will have to take its own course. The transition will be slow and gradual; not something I can force. If I start telling my producers I won't do it, it won't be good for me."

What are other films is he doing? "Gangster is just complete, and now we are shooting for Killer in Dubai. Then there's Aaditya Dutt's next, a romantic thriller, with new girl Geeta and Mithun Chakroborty, and Mohit Suri's Friends (which has been re-titled Aawarapan), with Kunal Khemu, where I play a street character."

Pachisia hasn't paid

Says producer Babloo Pachisia, "I am not aware that Emraan is no longer doing Jhamela. He has not informed me. Maybe Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt have told him not to do the film or maybe it is because I haven't paid him any money for it. The Bhatts have forgotten their flops like Nazar, Footpath and Imtihaan."

Could it be because Jawani Diwani didn't do well as expected? "That's not true," says Pachisia.

"It has done better than Zeher and Kalyug did in Mumbai. Jawani Diwani grossed Rs 1,04,00,000 approximately, in Mumbai, in the first week. I am more than happy with the collections. I haven't decided on my next film. Right now, I am concentrating on the release of my Bhojpuri film, Dehati Babu, with Manoj Tiwari, which releases today."

Bhatts come first

Says Manish Sharma, "Three days ago before leaving for Dubai, Emraan told me he was heavily committed to the Bhatts, and his other producers, for a lot of films and their promotions, till October.

He sounded very confused and was in a quandary as to what to do. Bablooji wants a chunk of dates on paper for all his films. Emraan said he would chalk out the dates of Jhamela once he returned from Dubai in January end."