Pakistani singer and actor Ali Zafar of Tere Bin Laden fame — who is currently busy organising charity concerts for flood-hit victims in Pakistan — has denied reports that he has struck a deal with Yash Raj Films for a movie to be directed by Ali Abbas Zafar.
"The announcement, if it came from the production house, is premature. I have not signed the film you have mentioned. I have not signed any film after Tere Bin Laden.
"I have not even met producer Aditya Chopra or director Ali Abbas Zafar. Yes, we've spoken about the film. And I've liked my role. We'll meet when I come to Mumbai this week," Zafar said on phone from Lahore.
He added that he ‘heard' the script on the internet. "The director narrated the script to me on Skype! All our communication so far has been virtual. I like the sound of the role... I guess they thought of me for the part because of my comic timing in Tere Bin Laden," he said. However, is he aware that the role was first offered to Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh? Zafar says he wasn't and that he is determined not to play supporting roles.
The movie is also rumoured to have Imran Khan in the star cast. "Aditya Chopra spoke to me for a long time [and] convinced me that it's a role equal to Imran Khan's. I am very clear on this issue and I told Aditya that I won't play any secondary or supporting roles. He has assured me it's a parallel role [to Imran Khan]."
Zafar added that he would take a call only after he meets the producer and the director in Mumbai. "I've yet to decide on which films to do in Mumbai. But yes, I'm coming to Mumbai next week, although I am neck-deep at the moment organising relief concerts here [Lahore] in Pakistan..."
Zafar has reportedly invited international pop stars Bono and Sting to be part of the charity concert.
