Ali Zafar to play fake Laden

You can’t miss the pun in the film’s title. And it was intended, says Abhishek Sharma about his film Tere Bin Laden. “It’s a funny take on life post 9/11,” says the National School of Drama alumnus. “Every issue reaches a stage where you can make fun of it. People are interested to see a satire on this issue. Comedy always emerges from tragedy,” Abhishek says.
Pakistani actor Ali Zafar makes his debut with this one.“We also screen- tested a lot of new Indian actors. But I wanted someone the audience doesn’t have any pre-conceived notions about. I have seen Ali’s music videos and he’s primarily an actor. He being Pakistani gives a little more authenticity to the film. Pradhyuman Singh Mall, theatre actor from Delhi, plays the fake Laden. His basic features resemble Laden. He’s a good mimic and was fed clips and footage on Laden for a year. Sugandha Garg (last seen in My Name is Khan) plays the make-up artist who works on the fake Laden,” says Abhishek.
What was it about Laden that prompted him to make a film around him? “I don’t approve of his actions, but everyone’s fascinated by him. He’s an image of terrorism, but he sits silently talking in a low pitch in the clips. It’s ironic and interesting. Every generation has a story to tell, something that changed their world like World War II, Kennedy’s assasination etc. For our generation, it’s Laden. I didn’t want to make a serious film on him because there’s nothing new in that. People should see him in a different light,” shares Abhishek.
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