"The Ghajini director lied to me" - Mohit Ahlawat 
By Subhash K. Jha, February 13, 2008 - 16:50 IST
Mohit Ahlawat has opted out of the Aamir Khan starrer Ghajini Remake and contrary to rumors, Aamir isn't responsible. Breaking out of his self-imposed reclusiveness, Mohit clears the air. "Aamir was very sweet to me, very helpful. It's the director A.R. Murugadoss who didn't know his mind. What he narrated to me and what I finally saw in the Telugu film was very different. I knew my character of the police officer dies at interval point. But the way he dies in the Telugu film and the way it was told to me were very different. When I questioned the director about it he just looked at me confused. He had no reply." The role had been offered to Mohit through Bhushan Kumar of T-Series (who have the music rights for the Hindi remake).
"When I was told that the role lasts only till interval I wasn't too keen on it. But I was told it was going to be a guest appearance. When I saw the original film, I was zapped. The character did not seem right. I decided to opt out. In any case, the film has been delayed excessively. It was supposed to start in September 2007." For now Mohit is happy to have completed Shagird with Tigmanshu Dhulia. "It has been a great learning experience working with Nana Patekar. He's not at all the way he appears to be. I identify with him completely because he's straightforward and simple-hearted. I realize one needs to be diplomatic in this industry. But I can't be a fake. I'd rather leave the industry and join my father's business."
For now that seems unlikely. After Shagird, Mohit has signed another film with a director named Amal Neerad. "Amal had done the cinematography of James. I guess we both need to prove ourselves beyond where we started," Mohit says refusing to name Ram Gopal Varma in his interview. "I've moved on. I wish others would too."
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