Himesh Reshammiya takes over Ishq Unplugged, is considering renaming project

Himesh Reshammiya is pulling out all the stops for his next film Ishq Unplugged. For starters, he is looking at renaming the project. One of the possibilities is Dama Dum Mast Kalandar, though there are other names also being considered.

The singer-turned actor has also taken over the distribution, satellite and music rights of the Studio 18 project that has Sonal Sehgal and Purbi Joshi as his co-stars. The romantic saga marks the big screen directorial debut of Sapna Joshi Waghmare who has made scores of television serials.

Says Himesh, "I want the project to be universally appealing and not just a multiplex film. Ishq Unplugged is a nice title but it may not connect with the audience in the interiors. The movie's music is extremely appealing so I want a title to match. But I have not finalised on any name yet."

The reason why the Aap Ka Suroor singer is getting involved in the project is also due to a monetary reason. He explains, "I had a Rs 6 crore deal with Studio 18 out of which I was given Rs 4.25 crore. For the remaining amount, I will be remunerated through the music rights and distribution."

Another factor being that Himesh wants everything to be right for this project after what happened to his last movie, Pooja Bhatt's film Kajraa Re which was released in only a single theatre in Mumbai.

"I don't want to meet the same fate as Kajraa Re again so I have taken over the project, " says Himesh who as also had a makeover done recently by Rihanna's stylists Damian and Avigail for his international album @ Da Edge. Roman White (director of videos of Justin Beiber and Taylor Swift] will also direct Himesh's music video.