‘I am still not mature enough’

doweshowbellyad=0; Emraan Hashmi. (TOI Photo)More picsHow does cricket feature in your search for paradise in Jannat?
Cricket serves as a wallpaper for the film that���s about the relationship between a young couple. Although I am not a cricket buff, my director is a huge follower of the game. In the 90s when reports started trickling in about match-fixing, he felt terribly let down by his icons.For him, at that point in time, there was no difference between a WWF and a cricket match. I play the role of a bookie in this film.
Do you think the recent Shoaib Akhtar revelations of being offered money to underperform will help in promoting Jannat���s bookie connection?
Let���s face it. Match-fixing does exist and the whole subject has resurfaced. Of course, we couldn���t have planned such a thing. I just feel the coincidental timing of the revelation is just too awesome. As for the Shoaib Akhtar ban, I think people tend to demonise a person for having a bad boy image. I would want him to be allowed to play in the IPL matches.
Have you highlighted any real-life events that can get many searching for parallels?
We don���t intend to offend any cricket board. There are generic things. Remember the Bob Woolmer tragedy? We have someone from South Africa playing the role of a coach. In real life, he was Woolmer���s friend too!
Hoping that you���ve interacted with real-life bookies, can you share some details from your experiences?
My role is that of a bookie who wants to give everything to his women either by fair or unfair means. People will find shades of grey in my character that���s driven by past. I met ex and current bookies and mediators. One former bookie came over to my place and had lunch with me. We played some matches on the television while he told me what the odds were at any given point in time. India has a peculiar pattern of betting. While the whole world bets either on the beginning or end of the game, it���s only in India that people bet on every ball. As for the bookies, this is just a job.
A line from your promos that compared cricketers with sex-workers courted controversy with the Censor Board. Was the analogy just meant to sensationalise matters?
We���ve changed it since the Censors felt that the comparison was too harsh. But the line is integral to the film.
You are also part of Raaz II. Why do you call it a sequel when almost everything about the film, including the cast and director, is so different?
It���s a new concept but belongs to the same horror genre. The connecting part is the secret.
Why is it that one sees so less of Emraan Hashmi films post Awarapan?
Awarapan failed to match up to the expectations. There were two big films pitted against it. Since I was very visible at that point of time, I wasn���t very actively involved in promoting it. Earlier, I used to do three or four films at a time. These days, I finish a project before taking on a new one. However, this interest in being part of a film���s making has nothing to do with me
wanting to turn director.
You���ve recently celebrated your 29th birthday. Does the thought of turning 30 scare you?
It pisses me off. But I think a man doesn���t feel that he is ageing till he is 35. I still think I am not mature enough. I am pretty laid-back when it comes to taking professional and personal responsibilities.
Your song Lambi Judaai is popular. What does Emraan Hashmi do to beat the blues of a lambi judaai from his wife when he is out on outdoor shootings?
I���m usually very busy with work. Once I pack up, we converse over the phone. Recently, on my birthday, my wife gave me a surprise visit. She bought me clothes and we went out for dinner at night.
What does Jannat mean to you?
That would be happiness for my family and a professional high. But to be specific, right now, it would be to buy a new BMW!