Emraan says Jannat is not Two For The Money

Even before Jannat has arrived on the screen, a section of media has already started speculating about it's Hollywood source. Traditionally, films coming from the house of Vishesh Films have always sought inspiration from West (or East) due to which Jannat too is not being spared. There have been murmurs about the film being an alleged rehash of Hollywood flick Two For The Money (2005) that starred Al Pacino and Matthew McConaughey.

Reacts Emraan Hashmi with a shocked expression, "Which is this movie Two For The Money' Isn't it the film about a bookie and his mentor and the conflicts they face in the course of their business? Sorry to disappoint those who believe they have managed to crack the code but by no means is Jannat remotely similar to Two For The Money."

Settling down from the initial shock, Emraan goes on to explain, "Jannat deals with a different aspect altogether. Time and again we have tried to tell through the promotion of our film that Jannat is not just about bookies and betting. This is a story about a young couple where the guy is a go getter and wants to give his girl everything that she desires. For that he is even willing to do through an illegal route."

Explaining the psyche of the character he plays, he defends, "This guy feels that when everyone out there in the world of cricket, whether he is an entrepreneur, media baron or a product launcher is going and making money with the help of the sport, why shouldn't a bookie too have his share of pie."

"He has his own way of reasoning too", jokes Emraan, "He feels that when a government can get away after 'hera-pheri' of millions in the arms deals, then what's the harm in a little bit of cheating in something as harmless as the game of cricket. Of course, the girl doesn't feel the same way since she is happy living a simple life. In the end, the guy has to decide whether money actually means everything in life or there is something more that he needs to find his 'Jannat'."

Kunal Deshmukh, director of Jannat, is more relaxed though in his defense for the film, "Nahi nahi, Jannat and Two For The Money are not connected in any means. In any case, I didn't want to copy a film at all. I didn't want to start off as a filmmaker who looked at lifting screenplays from other films. I guess I have enough potential to make a film of my own and don't have to resort to being a DVD filmmaker."