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Presenting Salman Khan differently is a challenge: Ali Abbas Zafar
Mumbai, March 17 (IANS) After “Sultan” and “Tiger Zinda Hai”, Bollywood director Ali Abbas Zafar is set to work with Salman Khan again in “Bharat”. He says presenting him differently in every project is a challenge.
In “Sultan” and “Tiger Zinda Hai”, Zafar managed to show Salman as a middle-aged wrestler and a RAW agent.
Asked how does he approach the superstar and break his on-screen image, the director told IANS: “It is an interesting process to explore and the challenge remains how to present him differently.
“I think it all starts with the script and the way we write the story. We always want to be sure not to repeat what he has already played on-screen and how differently we can project a character. ‘Sultan’ was a very different story from ‘Tiger Zinda Hai.”
He pointed out how “Sultan” saw Salman essay an emotional man who lost everything, but in “Tiger Zinda Hai”, he is seen doing something for the good in a crisis situation.
“Salman is a quintessential hero and he has star power. His fans want to see him in a certain way. I had to do justice to both – that is why Salman fans loved both the movies.”
Does the actor’s larger than life image create any limitation for a director to experiment with his character?
Zafar said: “No, we have to consider the story and understand if he fits in the story. The question is, ‘Is this the right story for Salman Khan to do’? Because everything starts with the writing process.”
Zafar is collaborating with Salman for the third time with his upcoming film “Bharat”. He knows expectations are high.
“I know that after two back-to-back hits with him, people have huge expectations. I know I have to deliver the best, that there is a challenge, a pressure that I am feeling already.
“The film is in writing process and it is too early to give out more details on it. Hopefully, people will like the story.”
Whether it is the loud-natured outspoken Dimple in his debut film “Mere Brother Ki Dulhan”, wrestling champion Aarfa Hussain in “Sultan” and Zoya, the Pakistani spy who is involved in hand-to-hand combat against terrorists to stand for peace in “Tiger Zinda Hai” — Zafar has always presented women in strong characters in all his films.
On that, he said: “Well, I think women are strong, and we are a country of strong, powerful women. We celebrate it.
“I have grown up among strong women in my house, starting from my mother. So I see no reason for projecting them another way. And when I am writing a story of ‘Tiger…’, I pay equal attention to the female character so that the male counterpart does not outshine..
“When people come out of the theatre after watching the film, they should feel that it was not just a Salman Khan film. It is a film for Katrina Kaif too.”
“Tiger Zinda Hai” will be shown on television on Sunday on Sony Max.
Asked about his expectation from the TV audience, Zafar said: “Though the film has done great business at the box office, I know it for a fact that the film is yet to reach many people.
“With television, it will reach out to every household. So, the viewership base is going to increase a lot. So, it is very exciting for us.”
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.