Brit journo kicked about role in Salman Khan's film

Salman Khan

It's not every day that you hear of the bureau chief of an internationally renowned financial paper playing a bit role in a Bollywood movie, that too a commercial potboiler. But when you have Salman Khan on board, anything is possible. 

Mirror has learnt that Sajid Nadiadwala, who is making his directorial debut with the Salman Khan-Jacqueline Fernandez starrer Kick, was running from pillar to post to find an "extra" to play the role of a British diplomat.


READ: What makes Salman Khan so popular?


"They wanted a guy who didn't only look the part, but also could convincingly pull off the lines. They couldn't find anyone who fit the part until Chetan Bhagat, who's written the script, came up with an idea," said a source close to the film's production.

It is learnt that the bestselling novelist, an IIM graduate who was an investment banker before becoming a full-time writer, suggested the name of his friend James Crabtree, the Mumbai bureau chief of the London-based newspaper Financial Times. "And James who is a Bollywood fan, instantly agreed to come on board," the source informed.

An elated James, who will be making his acting debut with Kick, said: "Of course I want to be in a Bollywood film but I was hoping there would be no song and dance because I can't do either!"


READ: Salman Khan loves his new look for 'Kick'


He admitted that many foreigners come to India to fulfil their Bollywood dreams. "I'm fortunate to be in a film without actually trying," James said, adding that he plays a British diplomat working in the Indian embassy of London. "The ambassador happens to be the father of Salman's love interest, and while we and another Brit diplomat are having a discussion, all hell breaks loose as the former's mother walks in."

The other Brit diplomat is a Swiss named Bernard with a thick German accent. "Clearly, Bollywood is not concerned about cinematic realism," he guffawed. James is disappointed that he didn't get a chance to share screen space with Salman Khan. "He was there on the set, but I didn't get a chance to interact with him. My wife and I have been a fan of his films. We watched his Ek Tha Tiger with subtitles. It was a lot of fun," he said.

Is he eager to pick up more Bollywood assignments? "Well, yes. Friends have been calling up to say that I should quit journalism and become the next Tom Alter," he joked. 

Aamir and Salman Khan's night out in Delhi

 

If you have slightest interest in Bollywood, you would be aware about Aamir Khan and Salman Khan's friendship. They have proved it time and again, latest being promoting each others film on various platforms.

According to reports, Aamir and Salman both were in Delhi at the same time. Aamir for promote 'Satyamev Jayate' while Salman Khan for the shoot of Sajid Nadiadwala's 'Kick'.

Read: Aamir and Salman: Friends who stay together everywhere

They were busy during the day because of their work commitments but that didn't keep them away from each other. The actors caught up with each other late in the evening.

"Aamir and Salman were staying in the same hotel and met at night. They partied and chatted till the wee hours of the morning. They had been wanting to meet up for a long time but couldn't due to their hectic schedules," a leading tabloid quoted its source.

 

Salman Khan, Aamir Khan party all night

That Aamir Khan and Salman Khan share an easy camaraderie is a well-known fact. But what’s friendship without a little partying?

Salman Khan, Aamir Khan

A little birdie tells us that Aamir was in Delhi to promote his television show, 'Satyamev Jayate', at the same time as Salman Khan for the shoot of Sajid Nadiadwala's directorial debut, 'Kick'.

Apparently, both the actors kept busy during the day but caught up with each other late in the evening. “Aamir and Salman were staying in the same hotel and met at night. They partied and chatted till the wee hours of the morning. They had been wanting to meet up for a long time but couldn’t due to their hectic schedules,” a source said.

Prior to Dhoom 3’s release, Aamir had sent his signature hat to Salman, who used it to promote the film on 'Bigg Boss 7'. Aamir had also pledged to spread the word about Salman's 'Jai Ho' and go the extra mile for his ‘good friend’.

Salman Khan and Sonam Kapoor's next titled Prem Ratan Dhan Payo

 

Director Sooraj Barjatya's next film starring Salman Khan and Sonam Kapoor has a title now. The film, that has been in the news for some time, will be called 'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo'.

The title has been derived from the popular bhajan, 'Ram ratan dhan payo'.

 

As the title suggests Salman's character will have the iconic name 'Prem'. While Neil Nitin Mukesh will play his younger brother, Anupam Kher too has been roped in to play a pivotal role along with Swara Bhaskara.

The film is slated to go on the floors in June this year and is set to release during Diwali, 2015.

the film will bring Sonam Kapoor and Salman together on screen after the former's debut film, Saawariya (2007) and Salman and Sooraj Barjatya are coming together after a span of 15 years.

Well, we hope this actor-director duo creates the same old magic!

Watch: Salman Khan grooves in style in O Teri title track

 

The much awaited track from the film 'O Teri' starring Salman Khan is finally out. The hip-hop song is the title track of the film.

Salman Khan grooves in style to the peppy tune wearing a black jacket and red pants. Pulkit Samrat and Bilal Amrohi are also seen matching their steps to the superstar. Salman is doing a brand new step that is true to his attitude and persona, it's uber cool when Sallu does the 'O teri, o teri' dance step.

 

The song is composed by Himesh Reshammiya.

Producer of the film Atul Agnihotri says the actor is "adding a lot" to the film.

"'O Teri' is being well-pushed by Salman Khan. He is adding a lot to the film and his song," Agnihotri said.

Directed by Umesh Bist, "O Teri" features Pulkit Samrat, Bilal Amrohi and Sarah Jane Dias.

Deepika Padukone, Salman Khan fitness icons: Jacqueline Fernandez

Actor Jacqueline Fernandez, who is fitness conscious herself, believes Deepika Padukone and Salman Khan are the greatest fitness icons of the Hindi film industry.

While Jacqueline worked with Deepika in Race 2 last year, she will be seen opposite superstar Salman in Sajid Nadiadwala's Kick.

"I think a great icon or inspiration for fitness is Deepika Padukone," Jacqueline said. "Since I have worked with her, I have seen how dedicated she is to her fitness regime, how she works out in the gym, how healthy she is and what healthy food she eats," she added.

Among the male actors, Jacqueline feels Salman and John make for great fitness icons. "Among the actors, I feel John Abraham and Salman Khan are dedicated to their fitness and they are extremely healthy," the 28-year-old said.

Currently, Jacqueline is shooting for Kick and she said that she keeps getting fitness tips from Salman during the shoot.

 Salman Khan wants to have kids, doesn't want the mother

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Anyone who knows Salman Khan is aware of the fact that he adores children. So it was not a surprise when he stated at the India Today conclave in New Delhi, on Saturday March 8, that he misses not having kids.

And the Bollywood actor reportedly said, “But with the kid comes the mother and I don’t want the mother.”

“If I had stuck to my first girlfriend, I’d be a grandfather by now,” he had joked. He thinks that he is a bad boyfriend, but a good friend.

According to reports in the media, at the India Today Conclave 2014, the maverick superstar lived up to his known habit of working without a script.  And also unlike other celebrities at the event Salman chose to speak very little on the topic at hand and he opted to address the topic of his session instead in action.

This was his first appearance at the event, and the star was addressing a session titled ‘Hail The Superhero: Why Being Human Matters’. After the usual question-answer session, Salman showed how being human mattered to him.

The actor unbuttoned his shirt and hugged many of his fans to raise money to build 600 toilets across the country.

He was in a witty mood, joking about how nervous he felt making his debut at the Conclave after a career of 30 years. “I was really scared,” he said. “Then I realised I would be sitting on a chair and not on the couch with Koel. That was comforting,” he joked.

According to reports, actor came up with teasing repartees when the subject of his love life came up. “For the first time since I was 15, I am alone, and I am loving it. But something will happen soon. Ladki bahut achchhi hogi (the girl will be very good), guaranteed,” he declared, hinting at a possible marriage or engagement announcement.

The 48-year-old superstar was quoted saying, “I follow humanity. I follow Islam, Christianity and follow the right thing as much as I can. I have been kind of blessed — my father is Pathan, mother is Hindu, second mother is Catholic, and brother-in-law is Punjabi. Wife, I am thinking to bring from outside (the country).”

In the past, many times he had been linked with his co-stars and also been termed as a “possessive” boyfriend.