Saif Ali Khan turns `Elvis Singh` for `Love Aaj Kal`

Was that the late Elvis Presley doing the jig in the promotional track of `Love Aaj Kal`? But why was he wearing a pagri?

Mumbai: Was that the late rock-and-roll legend Elvis Presley doing the jig in the promotional track of "Love Aaj Kal"? But why was he wearing a pagri? Take a closer look -- it`s our very own Saif Ali Khan. For his home production "Love Aaj Kal", Saif has appeared in one of the getups of Rock-n-Roll legend Elvis Presley. He has done so for the promotional track "Aahun Aahun" which has just been unveiled.

"It wasn`t planned this way but things just fell in place. I was in conversation with Dolly Ahluwalia, the costume designer, and we were discussing the retro outfits from the mid-60s. There was just one answer that we got -- Presley," reveals director Imtiaz Ali who got Saif into the costume. The song is a twin celebration of sorts since it showcases Saif from both 60s as well as the current times. A fusion piece that has various flavours of Punjabi, Hindi as well as English coming together not just lyrically but also musically, "Aahun Aahun" features the 60s Saif as a Sikh singing in Punjabi while the current generation Saif croons in Hindi and English. "That`s the way the entire song was designed," said Imtiaz. "Even though `Aahun Aahun` is a promotional song, we didn`t want Saif to slip out of the character. This is the reason why we had different costumes, settings and dance moves designed for both." Building on the idea, the team thought of showcasing Saif in a dance competition. "Once we had the Elvis idea in place, the dance competition too fell in place. There is an elaborate sequence as a part of the song where Saif as a Sikh gets into the Elvis garb with his trademark white outfit. He challenges the modern day Saif in a dancing competition and the result is to see two Saif Ali Khans trying to be one up over the other in the same frame," Imtiaz said. The song also features Deepika Padukone in a stunning western outfit. Pritam has put together the entire Punjabi-English-Hindi composition, while lyricist Irshad Kamil has brought youth flavour to the song. It has been sung by Neeraj Sridhar, Master Saleem and Suzanne. Imtiaz says that though "Aahun Aahun" is a promotional track, it won`t be killed in the film. "We can`t infuse it unnecessarily as a part of the narrative because it won`t make sense," said Imtiaz. "However, though it comes in the end credits of the film, it won`t be wasted. Just like `Mauja Hi Mauja` [Jab We Met] which got its due, even `Aahun Aahun` will have its place under the sun." IANS