‘Nobody had the guts to speak for Manisha’

Actor-producer-director Feroz Khan, who has reportedly been banned from entering Pakistan by President Pervez Musharraf, has dismissed the brouhaha as “insignificant.”

“I don’t even remember the fellow’s name,” said Khan from Bangalore, referring to the Pakistani compere whose jibe to Manisha Koirala apparently triggered his volatile outburst.

Feroz, who accompanied younger brother Akbar Khan for the premiere of his film ‘Taj Mahal’ in Lahore, felt the Pakistani compere was mocking Manisha when he said, “Madam, you are trembling, so let me change the subject.” The seemingly innocuous comment had fired up Khan, who then reportedly started abusing the host.

“The entire issue has been misunderstood. That’s why I had gone to Delhi to clear things once and for all,” said Khan who appeared on India TV in an attempt to clear the air.

“I do not want to say anything further and give rise to more controversies. The only reason I spoke on the show was because people were talking out of turn and all kinds of misinformation was being circulated,” he said.

“I had merely spoken in favour of Manisha because she was nervous. Nobody else had the guts to do it.”

For now, Khan is concentrating on his forthcoming film, a remake of ‘Qurbani’ — his own 1980 hit.

Feroz and his son Fardeen will both be seen in the film, but the rest of the cast is yet to be finalised. “Unfortunately, Saif (Ali Khan) couldn’t accommodate his dates for it. No, I am not casting Zayed (Khan) — although he is lovely actor — because he is too young to play Vinod Khanna’s role. He is four to five years younger to Fardeen.”
r_faheem@dnaindia.net