In conversation with the stars of Raja Natwarlal

Emraan Hashmi and Humaima Malik talk about their latest film and why people should watch it.

Indian Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi, left, and Bollywod actress Humaima Malik, right, pose for photographs during the promotional event of their upcoming Hindi movie Raja Natwarlal in Bangalore, India, August 21 2014. EPAShow less

India's most famous conman first caught the fancy of Bollywood in 1976 when he became the inspiration for the central character in Rakesh Kumar's Mr Natwarlal, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha.

Mithilesh Kumar Srivastava aka Natwarlal, famous for having "sold" the Taj Mahal, the Indian Parliament, the Red Fort and other historic Indian monuments, gets his second innings on the big screen with the director Kunal Deshmukh's latest film, Raja Natwarlal.

Starring Emraan Hashmi as the male lead, the crime comedy is the Bollywood debut of Pakistani model-turned-actress Humaima Malik.

"Initially, the film was titled Shaatir (conniving), but we felt it was a bit of a dramatic title and would suggest a dark film. When we started filming, the character emerged as very colourful, vibrant, entertaining, and witty. "We felt we should also have an entertaining title for the film," says Hashmi. "My character is called Raja and he is a scam artist who wants to be the best at what he does. When it comes to scams, there is only one man who is recognised as the king: Natwarlal. That is who Raja idolises and wants to be, so the apt title for this film is Raja Natwarlal."

“Raja is not a thief, he is a con artist.” Hashmi elaborates on the character he plays in this film. “He runs small scams. His name is actually Mithilesh but he calls himself Raja because, at heart, he is a raja (a prince). He doesn’t have a single penny to his name, but he lives like a prince. Whatever money he gets, he spends on his girl, or on his friends … not on himself. This is a revenge vendetta story, where Raja he wants to avenge the death of his friend and bring down a man who is thousand times more powerful than him.”

Pakistani actress Malik plays Hashmi’s love interest in the film.

“I have seen all of Emraan’s films,” she says about her costar. “I have loved all of them. Emraan is a very cool guy and a very good actor to work with. He gave me my space and did not try to ‘teach’ me. There are a lot of actors who give you their own take on the scene and he doesn’t do that. He leaves it up to the director togive feedback.”

Malik shot to fame in Pakistan and abroad with the 2012 Pakistani film Bol which was a critical and commercial success and established Malik as a force to be reckoned with.

"In the beginning she felt that after Bol, there is no place for her in a film like Raja Natwarlal," Hashmi explains how Malik felt initially. "That was a critically acclaimed film and this one is a pure commercial film with song and dance and whatever else goes into an Emraan Hashmi film. But I can assure you that there is substance in her character. Humaima's performance has really floored me. She has given such depth to the character. The emotions, the romance … she has done a commendable job."

“This film has all the elements that will keep our audience happy,” concludes Hashmi. “It’s a commercial film which will appeal to a wide audience. There are lots of things in this film: drama, conflict, romance, great music, and a great climax. This is definitely a film to look out for!”

Raja Natwarlal will play in theatres across the UAE from 28 August 2014.