Pakistani actor Ali Zafar NOT replaced by Tahir Bhasin in 'Dear Zindagi'

Pakistani actor Ali Zafar does not feature in a promotional song of upcoming film Dear Zindagi but is part of the movie's cast, sources close to its producers said. There was speculation that amid row over working of Pakistani artistes in Bollywood, 36-year-old Zafar was replaced by Tahir Raj Bhasin in the movie.

The shooting of the mentioned track with the film's lead actress Alia Bhatt and Bhasin further fuelled the rumour mills. A source close to film's production house Dharma Productions, however, refuted replacement reports and said Tahir has shot only for the promotional song.

Tahir is best known for his negative role in Rani Mukerji-starrer Mardaani. Sources close to the 29-year-old actor maintain a "no- comments" stand.

Gauri Shinde-directorial venture Dear Zindagi also features superstar Shah Rukh Khan, Angad Bedi, Aditya Roy Kapur, Kunal Kapoor. Only recently Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil had to bear the brunt of resistance as it starred Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

Many groups, including Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, had asked for a boycott of Pakistani artistes from the Indian film industry post the Uri attack.