What does Ali Zafar want to be known as? The heartthrob Pakistani singer tells us

The last time we saw him in this city, Ali Zafar was walking the ramp at Dubai Fashion Week, the showstopper for HSY, all dreamy-eyed and honey-voiced as he sang. At the end, he got the blasé crowd on its feet. That’s exactly what the heartthrob hopes to do with his first Hindi film, Tere Bin Ladin, a spoof on the world’s most hunted man.

In this fun interview, Ali tells Masala! exactly what drew him to this film and why he does not want to be called the Shah Rukh Khan of Pakistan. And yes, the heroines he wants to work with...

What is it like being a hero?
(Laughs) I feel like I have powers, like the powers of a superhero. I can change minds. Eventually lives. Mine own and other people’s as
well. (Laughs)

Why did you choose to act in a movie?
I think cinema is the ultimate media. Every creative person wants to experience a film at least once as a movie encompasses everything. I also began my career as a model and then acted in television and theatre. As you know, I always enact different roles and characters in my music videos. So for me, there’s nothing new in acting. And I found being part of this film a very interesting process.

This script was fascinating. The idea was fresh. I know it sounds like a cliché, but the message of this film is truly original. A post 9/11 world, the discriminations the Muslims face, Bush’s policies… everyone’s talking about these. We’ve talked about these too, but in a totally satirical and comical way. You’ll enjoy it!

You have the looks, you could have so played a romantic hero. Why enter B’wood with a spoof?
I love to think out of the box. Me acting in a romantic comedy would have been predictable. I like to catch myself by surprise! By taking up a project like Tere Bin Ladin, I am challenging myself, doing cinema that is more real, more relevant to the times. Playing a romantic hero would have been playing safe. I’ve never played safe in my life. In any case, our own lives are a lot more than a typical college romance, right?

So which B’wood actor do you look up to?
Mr Dilip Kumar. Mr Amitabh Bachchan. Aamir Khan. Shah Rukh Khan. Naseeruddin Shah.

If you were called the Shah Rukh Khan of Pakistan, would it make you happy?
I admire Shah Rukh Khan, I think he is a tremendous actor. But I don’t want to be known as anyone else. I want to be known in my own name, as my own self. I want to be Ali Zafar of Pakistan every time.

How would you compare the Pakistani film industry to the Hindi film industry?
The Pakistani film industry has been under the process of destruction for many years. Foreign films have been banned, there are no copyright laws, nothing much has come out of the industry. On the other hand, Bollywood has kept growing and maturing and it has now stepped into international markets. But we are trying to catch up. Our generation will make that difference (to the Pakistani film industry). For example, I have opened up a film company, Ali Films. We will be distributing Tere Bin Ladin in Pakistan, to begin with.

What next in Bollywood?
You know I always think it sounds really funny when people say things are in the pipeline (laughs). But things actually are in the pipeline, at least for me in Bollywood!

Hopefully you won’t be giving up music though...
Absolutely not! Music is my first love. Soon my new album Jhoom will be out. As I said, a movie allows you to do many different things. I have sung four songs in Tere Bin Ladin and written and composed one of those four. And yes, I hope to be coming to Dubai for a concert soon...

The heroine question

Who is your dream actress?
I really don’t want to name one.

Okay, name three...
Can I name four?

Sure, go ahead!
Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone… Actually all of them together in one film (with me) would be nice, thank you!

Just so you know...
Ali Zafar loves to wear jeans and tee, he’s happy with boxers and tee at home.

He relaxes by strumming his guitar, sketching (he has an art degree!) and digitally painting on the photographs he has taken.

He loves methi aloo and is also partial to Japanese food.

'I Hate Luv Storys' doing better than expected: Imran

Romantic comedy "I Hate Luv Storys" has collected approximately Rs.21.5 crore in the domestic circuit in the first three days of its release and hero Imran Khan says he is surprised by the "grand opening" it has got.

"I feel honestly very surprised with the numbers. I had told (director) Punit Malhotra that it's a very good film and I was quite confident with the way it was promoted, but I didn't expect such a opening,"Imran told IANS over the telephone.

"I Hate Luv Storys" is a rom-com where Imran plays a bit of a womaniser and also stars Sonam Kapoor.

Asked if he thought it was wise to release the film after "Kites" and "Raavan", he said: "I think everything went in our favour. There are the things you can't plan for and everything happened by good fortune."

Imran has signed a film with producer-director Karan Johar and it was rumoured that he would be romancing Kareena Kapoor in the movie.

"See, I have signed another film with Karan, but until he announces it I can't talk anything about it,"Imran said.

Imran is also wrapping up director Kunal Kohli's "Break Ke Baad", in which he will be seen opposite Deepika Padukone.

"It's a romantic and coming of age film. It's of a multiple genre," the young actor said, unwilling to disclose anything more about the film.

Speculation was also rife that Imran may tie the knot with his girlfriend Avantika Malik in January 2011, but he denied it, saying that he would be shooting during that period.

"Actually in January, I will be shooting for Karan's film," he said.

No US release for 'Tere Bin Laden' for now

Debutant director Abhishek Sharma's forthcoming film "Tere Bin Laden", a tongue-in-cheek satirical take off on Al Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, is releasing July 16, but it won't be screened in the US right now.

Producer Pooja Shetty says the date for the US release of the film is yet to be decided. One factor for this could be the US sensibilities about the man accused of masterminding the 9/11 attack on New York's World Trade Centre.

"We will not release the film in US on July 16. We first want to see how the film fares in other countries. If it does well, then we will think about a US release few months down the line, but not now," Shetty told IANS.

On July 16, the film will also release in Britain, Malaysia and Pakistan among other countries.

"Tere Bin Laden" tells the story of an ambitious young reporter, played by Pakistani singer-turned-actor Ali Zafar, desperate to migrate to the US to pursue the American dream.

His repeated attempts to migrate are shot down by visa officials. But he is not ready to accept defeat and finally sees a ray of hope in an Osama Bin Laden look-alike. He then hatches a scheme to produce a fake Osama video and sell it to news channels as a scoop.

Ash ki guzarish

Hi da hi my dimsums! How's the tadakti Tuesday morning treating you? I'm still feeling a little under the weather. Anyway. A jasoos from Juhu dropped in, claiming to have a scooplet on Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Seems she was banking on Mani Ratnam's (above right) Raavan a lot... and is very disappointed that it bombed.

So? Khabru states that Ashji has all her hopes pinned on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's (above left) Guzaarish now, and is keeping her fingers crossed for it to undo all the damage. Seems she's maha pleased with her role and feels it will work wonders, just the way Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam did.

No wonder Mrs. Bachchan is so desperate for a hit. How many days will she continue working on face value? Isn't it Ash? Interestingly, Hrithik Roshan will also await the release of Guzaarish with bated breath. After all, his Kites didn't quite fly high before it nosedived.

Salman Khan and a 'Good Looking Ullu Di Patthi'

The actor and Zafar meet up. Salman even sported a promotional T-shirt for the latter's upcoming film even though it read 'Ullu Di Patthi'

Salman Khan had a special guest at his Bandra home on Monday night. Pakistani musician Ali Zafar, who makes his acting debut with Tere Bin Laden, was at the star's place. The duo sang and jammed together besides watching the film. And Sallu, in his characteristic style, even removed his shirt for him!

The singer-turned-actor was accompanied by the film's producer Pooja Shetty Deora.

Says Pakistan's king of pop, "Pooja was showing him the T-shirt which we are using as part of the promotions. Suddenly, Salman took off what he was wearing to wear the T-shirt. He didn't mind wearing it even though it read: 'Good Looking Ullu Di Patthi!' Pooja promised to send him another one which read 'Good Looking Ullu Da Pattha'!

Ali, who is best known for his tracks like Channo, Rangeen, Chal Dil Merey, Masty and Sajania, is in Mumbai for the film's publicity till its release on July 16.

"It was my first interaction with the star. But Salman was extremely cool and chilled out. We spoke a lot about music, the movie and sang aloud. He actually sang for me! He said he had thorougly enjoyed watching the film and felt it was super."

Though Ali is working on his new compostions, he is keeping his optons open about being an actor as well. "The response to the film which has been directed by Abhishek Sharma has been heartening, " he adds. "I am looking forward to its release. It's a satire and a fun film."

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com