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'Notebook has humour and niceness’: Salman Khan

Salman Khan on his next production, which releases this Friday

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Salman Khan, Pranutan Bahl and Zaheer Iqbal in Notebook
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In the last four years, Salman Khan has launched six actors. Quite evidently, he is committed to the cause of introducing new talent. And, in a sense, he is passionate about giving bankable artistes to the movies. Of course, the Bollywood superstar is aware that he can handhold them only during the first stage of their career. Post this, they have to learn to fly on their own. However, that hardly stops him from giving the ‘kids’ his best.

While talking about Pranutan Bahl and Zaheer Iqbal, the lead actors of his production Notebook that releases this Friday, Salman looks back at his debut film. He says, “Thirty years ago, I was introduced with a lot of love. Though I began my career with Biwi Ho To Aisi in 1988, I feel it was Sooraj Barjatya who launched me in 1989 with Maine Pyar Kiya. Like I always tell people, ‘First Sooraj (Barjatya) launched me. And, then I launched Sooraj (Pancholi) in 2015. Life goes around in circles.”

Tease him that the filmmaker is waiting for him even after three decades and the actor says, “Ya, I know. We did Prem Ratan Dhan Payo in 2015. As of now, he also has three other films (not with me), which are ready. I saw the rushes and two of those movies look nice.”

Veering back to the topic of new talent, the Tiger Zinda Hai actor points out, “Aayush (Sharma) and Warina (Hussain) were launched by me last October in LoveYatri. Barely five months later, my production house is backing Pranutan and Zaheer. It’s good to do so because new talent should come in. Both of them have trained hard.”

Zaheer is a dear friend’s son

The Dabangg Khan is all praises for Zaheer and Pranutan. Though both of them are his close friends’ kids, he maintains that it was their sheer talent that prompted him to give them a break in Bollywood. Salman says, “Zaheer is a dear friend’s son, he has been with us since his childhood. When he showed a leaning towards movies, I asked him to train hard first. He has been doing so since Jai Ho (2014).”

“He has attended courses in acting, diction, action and dancing; in short, all the things that an actor needs to be equipped in. Every day, we would send him to auditions, never mind if nothing came out, but it was a part of his training. He’s got the personality of a hero, so we call him Zahero.” (Smiles).  

He adds that the debutant is a sportsman at heart. “He’s a good swimmer, he plays squash and table tennis quite well, too, and is adept at roller-blade skating as well as cycling. He’s respectful, well-mannered and has had a good upbringing,” informs Salman.

Pranutan was studying to be a lawyer

As for Pranutan, few people know that she was pursuing a course in law. Salman tells us that her father, Mohnish (Bahl), has been one of his closest friends since childhood, much before they did Maine Pyar Kiya (1989).

However, he is quick to add, “I’ve got lots of friends, they have children, but we’re not looking to launch all of them — only those who, we feel, will do well, have the personality, are hard-working and have a passion for a career in movies. So, Zaheer and Pranutan have worked hard to earn their breaks.”

The actor-filmmaker says fondly, “I hope Notebook does well, both are accepted by the audiences and they make their families proud. It can’t happen just because I produced the film, it should happen due to their own destiny.”
Kashmir is beautiful, it needs no one to enhance it

Salman mentions, “Notebook is a beautiful love story. It’s got a lot of humour, niceness and laughter. It is set in Kashmir. Director Nitin Kakkar has done a good job. Some people have said that the cinematography is fantastic too. But, I say, Kashmir is fantastic. It doesn’t need anyone or anything to enhance it. It’s so beautiful on its own. How can any of us take credit for making it look beautiful?”

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