Stepping out of the historical boots of Mangal Pandey in The Rising, popular actor Aamir Khan is now geared up to play the role of a contemporary character in a Rakyesh Mehra-directed film, Rang de Basanti.

Aamir, who had been sporting his painstakingly maintained well-oiled handle bar moustache and cascading tresses for several months, attracted a lot of media attention when he appeared all clean-shaven and in a new hairstyle for the announcement of the new film last night.

"It was the script of the film that attracted me. The film is about the youth and I play an easy-going character", Aamir said.

On queries about his new look, Aamir said, "I always sport a look that goes with the character of the film. I have tried various looks and this one suits the character of the new film, which is a contemporary film set in present day.

"The film explores the path chosen by the youth and the direction they are moving in", he said.

Speaking on the occasion, director Rakyesh said the film Rang de basanti has an element of drama and did not, as the name otherwise suggested, fall in the genre of patriotic films.

"The colour of basanti is the colour of spring, of liberation and celebration, and the film's title is subtly related to the film's theme", said Rakyesh.

The film, which would get underway this month-end, would also include among its cast, actress Soha Ali Khan, Om Puri, Kiron Kher and veteran actress Waheeda Rehman, he said while refusing to divulge the role of the veteran actress in the film.