Bollywood director-producer Mahesh Bhatt is readying a new film on the Muslim community in the India - a film he said would give new insights into the role of Muslims in the country's history.

"The film will be released some time next year. It will have Irfan Khan in the lead. I'm also planning to get Diya Mirza," Bhatt told IANS on the sidelines of a news conference in New Delhi to promote his latest production "Tumsa Nahin Dekha".

The yet untitled film is being written by India-born, Pennsylvania-based professor Amitava Kumar and would revolve around a middle-aged Muslim man whose son is branded a terrorist and killed by police.

It goes on to delve into the protagonist's past and the role of his relatives in India's freedom struggle.

"It is like a gambler who places everything he has and turns the wheel. I believe in being diverse, in being adventurous," Bhatt added.

Bhatt's other projects in the offing include an erotic thriller "Zeher", starring Emraan Hashmi and "Rog" directed by Pooja Bhatt.

"Tumsa Nahin Dekha" has been directed by Anurag Bose (of "Murder" fame). It tells the love story of bar dancer Gia (Mirza) and Daksh (Hashmi, who was also in "Murder"), a rich brat.

"It is a sweet and soft romantic film. It could be said to be one of my best performances since I was able to relate so very well to the character and her morals in life, " said Mirza, looking stunning in a black chiffon dress.

The film, which hit the theatres Friday, has already created ripples due to a controversial kissing scene between the lead actors.

In the film, Daksh Mittal, a charmingly witty and perpetually drunk millionaire falls in love at first sight with a shoplifter Gia, whom he later discovers is a striptease dancer.

Said Hashmi: "I have always believed in doing characters that would make an impact, movies that audience would be able to relate to. That is where I think a soft romantic film like 'Tumsa...' will score.
 
Asked if he had any problems with kissing onscreen, he said, "Why should I? I take it as just a part of my job."

"Besides," he laughed, "I'm getting better and better at it."