After his mega-budget Vishwaroopam , which he is currently filming, Haasan will be focussing on Amar Hai . The movie doesn't have a role that would fit either of the Khans.

"However, there is a role in Amar Hai that suits Saif, but we haven't approached him yet. We will do so soon," says Haasan.

Rubbishing rumours of having approached Jackie Chan, Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan for the project, Haasan says, "I don't know how many Khans I am supposed to have approached. I am not some Bollywood-struck regional actor trying to associate my name with them.

" Haasan is miffed with reports that portrayed him as Bollywood-starved. "I am not looking for a footprint in Hindi cinema any more.

My cinema is mine, no matter what the language," he says. Rumours about Chan started after Haasan met him at a function in Chennai where a producer suggested they do a film together.

"I don't need to work with Jackie Chan or Tom Cruise. Given a chance, I'd like to share screen space with only one actor Dilip Kumar.

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After his mega-budget Vishwaroopam , which he is currently filming, Haasan will be focussing on Amar Hai . The movie doesn't have a role that would fit either of the Khans.

"However, there is a role in Amar Hai that suits Saif, but we haven't approached him yet. We will do so soon," says Haasan.

Rubbishing rumours of having approached Jackie Chan, Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan for the project, Haasan says, "I don't know how many Khans I am supposed to have approached. I am not some Bollywood-struck regional actor trying to associate my name with them.

" Haasan is miffed with reports that portrayed him as Bollywood-starved. "I am not looking for a footprint in Hindi cinema any more.

My cinema is mine, no matter what the language," he says. Rumours about Chan started after Haasan met him at a function in Chennai where a producer suggested they do a film together.

"I don't need to work with Jackie Chan or Tom Cruise. Given a chance, I'd like to share screen space with only one actor Dilip Kumar.

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"Just to show a sense of solidarity with my Muslim brothers, including Shah Rukh whom I am very fond of." If Irrfan thinks it's a liability to be called a Khan, Kamal thinks it's equally incriminating to be named a Haasan.

"It doesn't matter whether I am really Muslim or not. If I have to suffer for my name I'm willing to do so," says Kamal.

It's not just Shah Rukh with his 'Khan' surname that gets him special treatment at the American treatment. You could get the US immigration guys into a budge over a Hindi name simply because it sounds Muslim.

This, Kamal Haasan discovered recently at an airport in Canada when he was on the way to the US for a makeover for a role. He was detained and questioned because both his names sounded distinctly Muslim.

Says Kamal Haasan, "My father did a very mischievous thing, maybe because I was born when he was 50, and by then he had developed a sense of humour about human quirks and contradictions. He gave me a Muslim-sounding name.

And the ambiguity of my name does confuse the Americans. I enjoy that.

My father too enjoyed the the ambivalence. In fact he was keen that I spell my name 'Kamal' with 'Q' in a very Islamic way.

I had almost listened to him. Then I backtracked.

But I feel I should go for it. While he was alive he would often ask me if I was mistaken me for a Muslim.

" Kamal Haasan frequently gets into the 'suspicious' segment of the US immigration department. "Sometimes they take me aside and ask me questions.

Just because we do business with America they think we are questionable. If we're so touchy about immigration rules in American, we shouldn't be doing business with them.

" Kamal Haasan feels racial and cultural suspicion exist in every society. "Talk to an Afghani who comes to visit India.

Afghani students can't get rooms to stay in India. There's resistance to Afghani passports in India.

And why are we so touchy about American treatment? They've a 9/11 to caution them. With 9/11 Australia is hostile to Indians.

India should stop acting paranoid about racial profiling." Shah Rukh Khan whom Kamal Haasan is very fond of, would be pleased to know he has undivided support from the senior actor.

However Kamal cautions, "We don't need to over-react just because this Khan is a Shah Rukh. I don't think Shah Rukh himself minded the detention.

I know the gentlemen. He would never say, 'I am Shah Rukh Khan, so I should be treated differently from other Khans'.

I think he said, each time he wants to feel normal he visits the US. His fans might feel injured on his behalf.

But it can't be helped. The Americans are an injured nation.

They're being just be careful. It happened to me and I had to miss my flight.

There was no great apology or anything. It's rules they're following.

" Kamal Haasan doesn't recommend a separate treatment by the US immigration to Shah Rukh. "I'd recommend that they be kind to all Khans.

They can't generalize about all Khans. It's as awful as saying all Americans are stupid.

" As for Irrfan dropping his Khan surname Kamal Haasan is willing to go the opposite way. "I'm ready to change my name from Kamal to Qamal.

I'm often mistaken for a Muslim and I don't correct the misconception. My brothers Charu Haasan and Chandra Haasan don't have to face this.

Please remember the fabric of our nation is woven with saffron, white and green. We can't pull out any of the colours.

We have to co-exist. The crusades are over.

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The film kick started in 1997 but due to various reasons was shelved after a few days of shooting. When contacted, Kamal Hassan said, "We shot about 25 percent of the film before it was called off for many reasons including the finances.

But now we're looking at reviving the film. It will take some time but the time lapse doesn't matter.

Coincidentally, we stopped shooting exactly where ten years are supposed to pass by in the protagonist's life." Interestingly, Hassan has a role for his friend and arch rival Rajinikanth in his film.

He said, "Yes there is a role that is ideal for him. We've done ten films together in the beginning of our careers, but none recently.

No one has come up with a project worthy of us. It's up to me to bell the cat.

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After SRK backed out of Kamal's remake of the South superhit Vettayadu Villayadu , we now hear that Salman may not have the time to star in the remake of Armour of God that is being planned with the star and Jackie Chan. A source said, "Salman is shooting the Dabangg sequel at the moment and then he has the promotions for another project coming up.

After that, he is committed to Shirish Kunder's Kick . There is a lot of post-production work too, in between, that is going to keep him busy.

Seems like this year, he will have no time to devote to any other project." What we also hear is that Salman will be co-directing the Dabangg sequel with Arbaaz Khan, which will practically take up all of his time.

The source added, "He hasn't even met Kamal to talk about this project. He has been shooting continuously for the film.

" The South superstar, however, seems unhappy about the development, as he does not want to make any compromises. The source added, "SRK was always on his mind for the remake of the film, and similarly he wants Salman for this film.

Even if it's for a cameo, he does not want to make any compromise as far as quality goes since it's going to be the most expensive film of his life." However we also hear that Sallu is on very good terms with Kamal and as and when the film goes on floors, he will decide how his dates can be worked out.

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All formalities including the money (reportedly a whopping Rs 5 crores) have been agreed on. But just when she was to ink the deal comes Kamal Haasan with an offer to play the lead in his Hindi-Tamil-Telugu anti-corruption epic Amar Hai that goes on the floors by year-end.

Says a friend close to Katrina, "She's very eager to work with Rajinikanth. It's like a wish come true for every Indian actress to do at least one film with him.

And to be offered a film by Kamal Haasan is a big honour. Between shooting for the two Yashraj films with Salman and Shah Rukh Khan, she has to find the time to squeeze in the Tamil icons.

" According to the Kochadaiyaan producers Katrina's portions are all that remain to be shot. Kamal Haasan's film has some pronounced advantages for Katrina.

Says the source, "Firstly she's a big Kamal Haasan fan. Secondly though Kamaji plays the title role of Amar in the film, Kat has a dream role in Amar Hai, the kind that she has never played before.

" Kamal Haasan confirmed Katrina's presence in the project. "She has been approached by the producer.

It would be lovely to have her on board. The role suits her perfectly.

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