Attention Bollywood fans in the UAE! This could be your chance to star in a Bollywood heist film. Director Sameer Khan, who recently announced his plans to direct a UAE-set action drama, Dollars, is auditioning for actors to play “strong supporting roles” in his debut venture. The good news about the dream casting call doesn’t end here.
“Looks are not my priority. I am looking for people who can act and have actual talent,” said Khan in an interview with tabloid!.
“What I have discovered is that good looking people often can’t look beyond their physical attributes and forget to emote or act their part in a film,” he said.
Prior to his entry into filmmaking, Khan organised Bollywood-related events such as Salman Khan’s Ready premiere.
Aspiring actors of any gender and nationality between the ages of 16 and 65 can send their portfolios and head shots to talent@timesquareme.com by February 5. Those who make the cut will then be called for the casting call on February 16.
“Dollars is a Hindi feature film. But I am not looking for Indians alone. If you are an American or a Filipino or British, there are roles waiting for them because there’s a crucial scene set against a corporate office. I want the film to reflect the cosmopolitan spirit of this country,” said Khan. The final casting decisions will be made by him and Bollywood’s renowned casting director Rohan Mapuskar, who chose talents for blockbuster 3 Idiots and Ferrari Ki Sawari.
While five supporting roles are up for grabs in Dubai, the duo are also on the hunt for 24 actors who can be a part of their action adventure.
“Even if you don’t speak Hindi, we are planning to give some of these characters a few lines to speak in the film. They can speak English or Arabic depending on the scene,” said Khan. Those selected will also be trained in a week-long workshop in Dubai to hone their acting and deportment skills.
“We are also intending to pay them. I don’t want any excuses that they arrive late on the sets because they didn’t have cab fare,” quipped Khan.
The film which will be shot in Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Abu Dhabi and Iraq, traces the journey of two Mumbai-based men who arrive in Dubai for work but find themselves in a deadly trap when they travel on an official assignment outside the UAE. The casting of main roles will be held in Mumbai, the hub for all things Bollywood.
“I am looking for new, fresh faces to lead the film forward,” said Khan. Produced by Times Square Entertainment and Dubai-based businessman Ashvini Sehdev, the total budget of the feature film is Rs100 million.
Art director Sabu Cyril, music-duo Sajid-Wajid of Dabangg fame and Salman Khan’s go-to choreographer Mudassar Khan is a part of his pet project.
“It’s my dream project and I want everything to go well. It’s a full-fledged Hindi masala film. We will begin the shoot by mid-March and I hope to release it worldwide,” said Khan. For details, write to talent@timesquareme.com.
