Salman returns to period drama with 'Veer'

After playing a prince early in his career in portions of 1992 film 'Suryavanshi', macho star Salman Khan is returning to period drama in his latest venture 'Veer' that releases Friday.

Interestingly, the epic has been written by Salman 20 years ago and is an Eros International Media Ltd presentation and Vijay Galani Moviez production.

"I had written the story 20 years ago, but at that time it wasn't possible to make the film. I thought now is the right time to make it, so I did... I showed the story to my father (noted writer Salim Khan) and the biggest fear was what is he going to say. But he said it's a good story," Salman had told us.

Made at a budget of around Rs.44 crore, (Rs.440 million) 'Veer' has been directed by Anil Sharma and marks the big screen debut of Zarine Khan, who is said to have a close resemblance to Salman's actress girlfriend Katrina Kaif.

"It's a love story set in the backdrop of a war for independence. I play a Rajasthani princess," said Zarine.

Shot extensively in Rajasthan, it is a story of bravery, treachery and love.

Set in colonial India, the film encapsulates a period when the British enslaved India with their divide and rule policy and kings and nawabs fell for it, except for the Pindaris who preferred death to dishonour and fought till their last breath. Salman plays one of the bravest and strongest Pindari soldiers named Veer.

As Veer takes on the might of the British Empire, he also has to fight the conniving King of Madavgarh as well as his own jealous tribesmen. The stakes are high as he has to avenge his father's dishonour as well as get over the hurdles in love as he romances princess Yashodhara, the daughter of his sworn enemy.

Also shot in Britain, it is also the first Bollywood film to be shot in the premises of Buckingham Palace.

Despite having the facility of special effects, the film also boasts of using thousands of real horses and other animals for authenticity.

What is to be seen is whether 'Veer' relives Salman's last year's magic at the box office thanks to massive hit 'Wanted', which marked his return to action.

Source: IANS

'Katrina and I are not identical twins'

Salman Khan somehow manages to seek out women who look like his girlfriends. After discovering Ash-lookalike Sneha Ullal and casting her in Lucky, his upcoming film Veer features Zarine Khan, who looks very similar to Katrina Kaif.

Zarine, like Sneha, maintains that her similar looks are just a coincidence. She does not think she looks like Katrina, even though she's used to people telling her so.

The Mumbai-based girl chats with Syed Firdaus Ashraf, and tells him about her journey to Veer. Excerpts:

Your resemblance to Katrina is astonishing.

Katrina is very beautiful. I take it as a compliment to be compared to her. But we're different individuals. When I look into the mirror, I see Zarine Khan, not Katrina Kaif. I look like my mother.

As far as Katrina is concerned, she has made her mark in the industry and I am yet to make mine.


Image: Zarine Khan in Veer


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Do people tell you that you look like Katrina?

In school, I used to weigh 100 kilos. It was only when I became a model that I lost 40 kilos. That's when the comparisons began.

But I always thought people were trying to flatter me. Believe me, I never felt that way. I always felt Katrina was very beautiful, as compared to me.

Did Salman ever tell you that you resemble Katrina?

No. (laughs)

Do you feel that your looks may work against you? Sneha Ullal, with her face resembling Ash, does not have a film career to speak of.

I don't think so. If I work hard, I will get there. My destiny has brought me here. God will take care of me.

Besides, Katrina and I are not identical twins.

When I met Katrina, she was very sweet to me. She never said I looked like her. She would advise me on my makeup and photoshoots. I had heard actresses are snobbish but she was very sweet.


Image: Zarine Khan


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Tell us about yourself.

I was a small-time model; struggling to find work. One day I got a call from Subhash Ghai's office, telling me to meet him on the sets of Yuvvraaj, starring Salman and Katrina.

When you get a call from such a big production house, you don't ask questions. You just pack your bags and run to the sets.

I met Salman. I've always been a fan since childhood, and spoke to him like one. He asked me certain questions. Before leaving, I asked him for an autograph, to which he said: 'Sweetheart, you will be signing autographs for the world.'

I wondered why he said that. Later, I came to know that I was selected for Veer.


Image: Zarine Khan


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What was Salman like? Was he like the bad boy the media likes to portray him as?

He may be a bad boy for some people but he's really an honest person. People blow things out of proportion. He has a heart of gold. He is emotional and sensitive. If you are in trouble, he will be there to help you. His life is like an open book.

Do you have a filmi background?

No. I'm the first from my family to enter Bollywood.

I live with my mother and younger sister. My father does not stay with us. I had to support my family and that's why I took up modelling. Actually, I wanted to become a doctor but I had to give up my studies. I could not complete my education. Today, if you're not educated, you can't get a good job. But God gave me looks, so he's taking care of me.

I feel my life is like Urmila Matondkar's in Rangeela. It was my destiny to be a part of the film world.

Did you take any acting training?

Whatever training I got was from (Veer director) Anil Sharma. Salman, Jackie Shroff and Mithun helped me too.


Image: Zarine Khan


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Tell us about your role in Veer.

Veer is like a dream come true. The story is written by Salman, and I'm more than happy to be a part of it.

I play Princess Yashodra, who is in love with a Pindhari soldier, played by Salman.

I took dancing lessons for my role. I saw a lot of movies to get the body language and look right. I went through a lot of books and noticed that the queens and princesses of those times were never thin -- they were quite plump. So I had to put on 10 kilos for the role. It was like a feast for me.

When you got the role, did you ever ask Salman what made him select you?

As far as I know, they wanted a fresh face. I have two looks in the film -- one western and the other, Indian. They were probably not getting the right kind of girl, so they settled for me.

Did you think a period film is a good launch?

I don't know. I have no experience in the film industry. I will know the answer after Veer releases.


Image: Zarine Khan

Salman obsessed with Katrina look alike

Salman Khan is now looking for a Katrina Kaif lookalike for the Parisian love story that he is working on. He has put aside his other projects– the sequels to No Entry and Wanted for later. The film will be produced by his sister Alvira and her husband, Atul Agnihotri.

Salman is also working on another film that will be produced by his brother, Arbaaz. Arbaaz’s film, however, has a North India setting. For his Parisian film, Salman is looking for a girl who has half Caucasian and half Indian features. Salman actually wanted to cast Katrina in the film but since they have decided not to star together in movies, he has asked an agency in Paris to keep a lookout for a girl like Salman has asked.

In Salman’s upcoming film, Veer, too the lead heroine, Zarine Khan, is said to look exactly like Katrina.