I feel lighter," Aamir Khan jokes, commenting on his new look. "There was so much weight on my body! I realised that only after I shaved my moustache and cut my hair!"
Aamir 'unveiled' his new look at the press meet of the launch of his new film Rang De Basanti, to be directed by Rakesh Mehra of Aks fame.
"I am still used to twirling my moustache. But when I raise my hands to my lips, I find my moustache missing! So I put my hand down again," Aamir laughs. He had grown his hair and moustache for his Mangal Pandey character in Ketan Mehta's The Rising.
Rang De Basanti will begin shooting on February 25 and is expected to release late 2005.
Though the name hints that the film may be a period film, Aamir confirms that it is a contemporary film.
"Look at my hairstyle and my face. Do you think this film is a period film?" Aamir asked. "The film is for today's youth. It is a day-to-day story of our youth and what happens in our society. It is too early to speak more about the film. I loved the script and therefore, I signed the film."
"It is a modern film and characters are modern. Let me add it is different from
Dil Chahta Hai.
Rang De Basanti is more dramatic. Rakesh Mehra is a very talented director and he wrote a wonderful script. He will make a good film," the actor adds.
Soha Ali Khan will play Aamir's love interest. The rest of the cast includes Om Puri, Kiran Kher, Anupam Kher and Atul Kulkarni. A British actress will also be roped in, but Rakesh Mehra refused to confirm her name, stating that he is undecided about her.
Aamir says he is ready to do more films as long as the story appeals to him. "I will do the story that touches my heart.
Rang De Basanti moved me. It gives a message that all of us are responsible towards society. We all have to contribute to its growth."
Will the film be preachy like Ashutosh Gowariker's Swades? Aamir answers, "Look at my face. Do you think it will be preachy? I want to look like my character since I am doing only one film at a time. I don't think this face and hairstyle will suit a preachy film."
Photograph: Jewella C Miranda