Aao Wish Karein releases today and till yesterday, actor turned producer Aftab Shivdasani was busy supervising last minute nitty-gritty. He is one of the select few actors in the industry who has turned to production at such a young change. Playing the triple role of a producer, actor and a writer was something that Aftab hadn’t quite fathomed.

“I seriously feel whether 40 hours a day would have been good enough or not”, Aftab brings on a smile here as he anxiously awaited audience response to his first ever ‘baby’, “As a producer, you realise that time is of such an utmost importance.”

Even as an actor, Aftab was quite challenged since the character that he enacts required him to have the innocence and purity of a 12 year old boy even when he has turned 22 overnight. Quite a few actors may have feared slipping with such characterisation since there is a good probability of a role like this resulting in the protagonist merely relying on making funny faces or acting a little insane.

“That’s true”, agrees Aftab, “I had to walk a thin rope because there is a fine difference between playing a child and acting a little mad. I decided that let me just play it all simple rather than thinking or rehearsing too much around how a kid would look at things and behave. I am glad when I see the final cut of the film, since I know for sure that if I had given this portrayal too much of thought, it would have turned mechanical and made it look all practiced and rehearsed. It was good to come up with a natural act while just getting into the boots of a 12 year old kid.”

For this, Aftab made sure not to go overboard even once and keep his facial expressions, mannerisms and body language in check. With a subject like this where an overnight transformation happens to a human body (a 12 year old boy desires to turn into a young man and his wish is granted), Aao Wish Karein could have easily slipped into the Mr. Ya Miss zone where Aftab was converted into Antara Mali via a bad dream.

“While comedy there was slapstick, proceedings are completely subtle in Aao Wish Karein”, Aftab explains the difference, “There is no over the top act, no vulgarity or any mandatory jokes around manhood. Instead, the film retains its simplicity course and focuses primarily on the quest of this boy who wishes to woo his lady love.”

As the sole lead in the film, Aftab was also required to carry the entire film on his shoulders unlike quite a few multi starrers that he has been a part of. While being good in comedy is a given for him (Masti, Awara Paagal Deewana, De Taali), one awaits how Aao Wish Karein showcases a different facet of him as an emotional lover boy.

In his 6 years long career so far, Emraan Hashmi is yet to be seen in a conventional Bollywood cinema where the leading man is all correct and proper with a clean heart and no grey shades. Revelling in the kind of roles that he has picked for himself, Emraan has broken quite a few stereotypes and created his own place under the sun. He may still be awaiting his 50 crore hit, something which is pretty much a benchmark for any leading man to break into the top bracket today. However, Emraan is content that he is at least trying not to follow any conventional or tried and tested trends and is giving something new to the audience in each of his films. Emraan gets into a conversation with Joginder Tuteja and explains what makes his films different.

A Bollywood disaster movie - another first for you Emraan?
It’s a misconception that Tum Mile belongs to disaster movie genre. No, it is not. The Mumbai floods disaster is an integral part of the film’s plot, yes. But that doesn’t necessarily make the entire movie revolve around this single thread. There is so much more to Tum Mile. In fact the way I look at the film, it is mainly a love story with a disaster just acting as a catalyst to bring the two characters together. However, never once during the entire sequence of events would you miss the love between these two characters.

It is mainly a love story with a disaster just acting as a catalyst to bring the two characters together

From the promos though it appears that it is quite a turbulent relationship between the characters played by you and Soha. Moreover, one can sense that it’s not a sweet, simple and soft romantic hero that we would see in Tum Mile.
Well, if you are looking at a Raj and Rahul cinema here then Tum Mile is obviously not the one. The character I play is also much more real than a Raj or a Rahul that we have been exposed to. Instead of living in palatial mansions, this guy could be someone who lives next door. Tum Mile shows the times and tribulations in his life.

Can you elaborate further?
This guy is someone who is very real, very today. He is someone who has been quite ambitious in his life but has lost his way. He is still trying to find himself and still groping with the break in relationship with his girl (Soha Ali Khan) with whom he was so much in love at one point of time. Having said that, my chemistry with Soha shows in the film. The character that I play is my most romantic ever.

The character that I play is my most romantic ever

Seems like it must have been a cakewalk for you?
On the contrary it was quite a tiring experience, both physically and mentally. This was mainly because of the flood situation that had to be recreated. It was a difficult film to be made and hats off to Kunal (Deshmukh) for making it happen. During shooting, everyone from cast and crew used to stand in waist deep water for hours at stretch to give that perfect shot. When I saw the film, I was like ‘Wow man, how did we actually accomplish it all?!’ Credit must also go to the special effects guys who have done a brilliant job for the entire recreation.

Kunal says that the unfolding of proceedings is kept quite real…
That’s right. Every romance comes with a share of problems and the one here isn’t any different. One has to live up to the challenges. It’s situations like these that make this guy real and also makes the viewer out there feel that something like this could happen to him as well.

Pairing of Soha along with you has also raised quite a few eyebrows. It’s quite unconventional after all?
Well, if people feel so then it means that we have succeeded in our endeavour (smiles). Yes, we are shown as complete opposites on screen and for that to happen, we wanted to have the right actors. Everyone felt that Soha fitted in the bill while knowing pretty well throughout that I and her coming together would be quite unconventional. Also, the way it has turned out on screen, I am sure it is this very unpredictability around the pairing that would work in the film’s favour.

I am sure it is this very unpredictability around the pairing that would work in the film’s favour

But can one take grey shades away from Emraan?
It’s a welcome change to have absolutely no grey shades in my character this time around (laughs). In the past, I have played quite a lot of grey roles that have been liked by the audience. However, this one is completely white. Kunal told me that Tum Mile would take me to a next level. He had quite a few pointers to validate his claim. If not for him, I would have continued playing the kind of roles I have been successful in. Today when I look at the film in retrospect, I see where he was coming from. Working in Tum Mile has broadened my approach.

SINGAPORE: From nurses to welders, Asia-Pacific economies including the United States and Japan face critical labour shortages if they fail to allow easier movement of temporary workers, a study has warned.

The research, commissioned by the APEC Business Advisory Council urged governments to address the problem or risk hampering business competitiveness and economic growth.

The report, expected to be circulated at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Singapore this week, said most free-trade deals within the grouping looked at easing travel for businessmen.

”They ignore the movement of the actual skilled and lower-skilled workers that are needed in large numbers to fill these labour shortages and skill gaps,” it said.

The study, by the University of Southern California Mashall School of Business, raised the need for a ”policy framework” among APEC members to facilitate the movement of temporary labourers.

”Real shortages of skilled and lower skilled workers exist in many APEC economies, even during this recessionary period,” it said.

”And these labour shortages and imbalances of skills and jobs are predicted to become increasingly critical because of the changing demographics of ageing populations,” it added.

”This gives business real concern as access to workers is directly correlated with business competitiveness and growth.”

NEW YORK: Gold extended its record-breaking run above the $1,100 mark while crude oil raised more than $2 a barrel as markets made a strong start to the new trading week.

Gold hit a record at $1,110.85 a troy ounce, a rise of 26.5 per cent this year, before easing back to $1,107.00, up 1.1 per cent on the day as analysts digested the implications of India’’s decision last week to buy half of the gold the International Monetary Fund has put up for sale.

ISLAMABAD: All CNG gas stations have been shut down against government’s decisions of closure of CNG stations two days in a week under gas load management.

President of All Pakistan CNG Association Ghayas Paracha told Geo News that step wise protests will be organized against the decision. All the CNG refilling stations in Rawalpindi, Islamabad and from Attock to Jehlum would remain closed till mid-night today.

CNG stations in Lahore and Sargodha will remain closed on November 12 whereas CNG stations in Multan and Bahawalpur observe strike on November 13.

“If our demands are not accepted, then the CNG dealers would observe indefinite strike in the entire Punjab and NWFP provinces,” he added.

ISTANBUL: Turkish president Abdullah Gul has urged the world community to extend full support to Pakistani democracy in the struggle against terrorism.

Speaking at the opening session of the standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in Istanbul, Gul linked stability in the region with Pakistan’s.

He stressed for extending immediate help to Pakistan which, he said, is a victim of terrorism.

“Terrorism is affecting not only the region but the entire world,” the Turkish president observed.

KARACHI: The trade activity at Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) remained range-bound throughout the week in the wake of bomb blasts in Peshawar and the worsening law and order situation of the country.

However, continued interest of foreign investors in the share market prevented a major slide of the 100 Index, which moved up and down within a range of 400 points in this week.

The Index gained 8 points to close at 9,159 this week with an average market turnover of 187 million, showing a decline of 8 per cent compared to last week.

Pak PTA and Jehangir Siddiqui Company topped the list of volume leaders this week.

ISLAMABAD: Oil and Gar Regulation Authority (OGRA) Saturday notified that the prices of petroleum products will remain unchanged during the month of November.

The notification will come to effect from November 1 for the entire month.

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Nawaz Sharif, during his meeting with visiting US secretary of state Hillary Clinton here on Thursday, urged the US to redress reservations of Pakistani people, as well as political parties and other sections of society.

Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan is in a state of war, so the entire world including the US should come forward in extending financial assistance.

During views were exchanged on matters including the country’s situation, the ongoing war on terror and Kerry-Lugar Bill.

The PML-N Chief said Pakistan nation has legitimate reservations on KL Bill. “Pakistan holds sovereignty and integrity as its dearest assets,” he added.

Hillary Clinton on the occasion said the US wants elimination of terrorism and in order achieve this goal it will extend all out support to Pakistan.

She said peace in South Asia is essential for the entire world.

US Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke, US ambassador Anne W. Patterson, Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif and Ishaq Dar were present on the occasion.

SEOUL: Asian stocks were mixed Friday, largely failing to follow through after the Dow Jones industrials closed above 10,000 points for a second day as a monthslong rally lost steam. European markets gained in early trading.

Movements in Asia were mostly muted, but Thailand’’s market rebounded after falling 7 percent over two days amid panic about the health of 81-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Oil prices rose above $78 a barrel.

Japan’’s benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average rose 18.91, or 0.2 percent, to close at 10,257.56. Gains were limited on concern over ballooning government debt and uncertainty over the restructuring of struggling Japan Airlines Corp.

Stocks in India rose 0.8 percent and Taiwan gained 0.1 percent while China’’s Shanghai index fell 0.1 percent and Singapore’’s market also shed 0.1 percent.

Among other losing bourses was Hong Kong where the Hang Seng index fell 69.18, or 0.3 percent, to close at 21,929.80. South Korea’’s Kospi dropped 1.1 percent and Australia’’s benchmark fell 0.5 percent.

Mark Tan, who helps manage the equivalent of about $10 billion of equities and bonds at UOB Asset Management in Singapore, said regional bourses were “taking a breather” for now, but were likely to resume gains on positive earnings and economic growth prospects.

“Asian markets have run up quite a bit,” he said. “They will still continue to do well, but over the short term there is a bit of consolidation.”

In early European trading, Britain’’s FTSE-100 rose 0.9 percent, Germany’’s DAX advanced 0.9 percent and France’’s CAC-40 gained 0.6 percent. U.S. futures pointed to modest gains Friday on Wall Street. Dow futures were up 21, or 0.2 percent, at 9,985.

Thailand’’s benchmark was up 2.6 percent. The previous day it closed down 5.3 percent after tumbling more than 8 percent as the king’’s lengthy hospitalization raised fears of a power vacuum in this divided Asian nation.

“We believe that, over the coming weeks, panic will give way to sober evaluation of the real risks,” Credit Suisse analysts said in a report.” Although Thailand is an inherently risky place, it is no riskier today than it was two days ago before the panic.”

In New York on Thursday, the Dow rose 47.08, or 0.5 percent, to 10,062.94, its highest close since Oct. 3 last year and second straight finish above 10,000. Broader indices also gained.

U.S. stocks gained as a rise in the price of crude oil boosted energy shares and economic data showing that the number of newly laid-off workers filing claims for unemployment insurance fell to its lowest level since January. That helped to offset disappointment about Citigroup’’s earnings.

Oil prices continued a weeklong rally, jumping above $78 a barrel, after U.S. gasoline inventories unexpectedly fell.

Benchmark crude for November delivery rose as much as 59 cents to $78.17 before slipping to just below $78. The contract rose $2.40 to settle at $77.58 on Thursday.

In currencies, the euro fell to $1.4909 from $1.4942. The dollar rose to 91.03 yen from 90.56 yen.