'Jism 2' will be my 'Arth', says Pooja Bhatt

"I think and hope that 'Jism 2' will be my 'Arth'. It is a coincidence that I am at the same stage like my father. Even he had four films like 'Naya Daur', 'Manzilein Aur Bhi Hain' and others before 'Arth' but none of them did well," Pooja told reporters here last night, at the promotional event of 'Jism 2'.

A still from Jism 2. Pic/ Santa Banta

Pooja made her directorial debut in 2004 with John Abraham and Udita Goswami-starrer 'Paap', after which she directed 'Holiday', 'Dhokha' and 'Kajraa Re', all bombing at the box office.

"I think somewhere what is special about 'Arth' is that finally the lady makes a choice of not to be with the husband and not be with the lover. In 'Jism 2', Izna (Sunny Leone) is a porn star and by the end she makes a choice that redeems her character. So we are talking about choices and that is the similarity between the two movies," she said.

This time the 40-year-old director is hopeful that 'Jism 2' will do well, thanks to the trailers and music. "I think I am at a stage where as a director I have got nothing to lose as I have had four flops behind me. I have a brand ('Jism') about which there is excitement and interest among the public. The film is looking good, music is liked by all," Pooja said.

The Bhatt camp has offered Indo-Canadian porn star Sunny Leone her first break in Bollywood with erotic thriller 'Jism 2'. "As the film is about porn star, we did not need to establish the film and the character since it is already there in the people's eye. I think it is the combination of her (Sunny Leone) persona and the brand 'Jism' that the second part looks interesting. If we would have taken Sunny in other film I don't think the excitement level would have been same," Pooja said.

While the promos seem to convey 'Jism 2' as an adult film, Pooja feels being bold does not necessarily mean showing off the skin. "Bold is not just taking your clothes off, bold also means your actions, your thought process. I was known as bold actress as I lived my life on my own terms. Similarly in 'Jism 2', Sunny is someone who lives her life on her own terms. It was in 2002 when I saw Sunny, that innocent face stuck in my head. I thought she would be perfect but things did not materialise that time," she said.

Actors Randeep Hooda and Arunoday Singh will play Leone's love interests in the sequel to the John-Bipasha starrer 2003 hit film 'Jism'. "I saw Arunoday Singh in 'Yeh Saali Zindagi' and in an ad for a liquor brand. I felt he was perfect for the role of Ayaan in 'Jism 2'. We wanted the person to look believable, rooted from North India, and he fits the bill," Pooja said.

"And then began my nightmare of finding Kabir (Randeep Hooda), as it is a very complex role, it not only requires a good looking man but a power house in terms of talent. It was while the editing of 'Jannat 2' that I happened to see Randeep's work. I felt I found Kabir," she added.

Produced by Pooja Bhatt and Dino Morea, the film releases on August 3.u00a0