Delhi boy to step into Zaidi's shoes!

Delhi-boy Imran Zahid will step into the shoes of Muntadhar al-Zaidi , who had tossed a shoe at former US Prez George W Bush, in Mahesh Bhatt’s play.
President Bush has gone and Barack Obama has arrived. Many may have forgotten the incident of Muntadhar al-Zaidi , the journalist who had hurled a shoe at the US President. However, never the one to let go of an issue, director Mahesh Bhatt is coming up with a play, “The Last Salute” , where newcomer Imran Zahid will play the role of Zaidi.When asked why the issue is being raked up, Bhatt says, “The last decade had been a bloody decade with thousands losing their lives or maimed forever in the so-called ‘war against terror’. A common man was unable to put up with it, and had responded by throwing his shoe at Bush. It was etched in the minds of people as a common man’s revenge against a tyrant. It has universal acceptance and the audience will definitely like it.” Based on the book The Last Salute to President Bush by Muntadhar, the play will be staged in Delhi, Mumbai and Dubai. But why was Imran picked up for the role? “Imran has anger within himself against all kinds of oppression. He has an urge to deliver and the appetite for good work. Hence he was a natural choice for the role,” said Bhatt.
Imran, on his part, has given his 100 per cent to justify the role of Zaidi. “I have read his book and studied his early life. I am in touch with him and since his English is not good, we sometimes take the help of an interpreter. However, he is a common man just like me and hence it was not very difficult getting under the skin of the character. Zaidi’s anger and frustration as a common man after seeing death and destruction in his country is something that I need to portray in the play and I am confident about it,” said Imran. The fact that Imran and Zaidi are almost of the same age has also helped. “When I was attending rock concerts in my country, his was being carpet bombed. At least he did not pick up a gun but resorted to throwing his shoe. Somewhere, we can connect since we are from the same continent. Even after being jailed, he has not given up and has pledged to take Bush to the international court,” Imran said.
Aware that his action has led to similar incidents all over the world, Zaidi said, “I am concerned about the situation in my country and wish there is peace. I am a common man and I feel whatever is happening is not right. The problems of Iraq have great relevance for me and I hope the play highlights that.” Zaidi is also coming to India for the staging of the play based on his life. “He is a great follower of Mahatma Gandhi and will visit Rajghat during his Delhi visit,” said Imran.
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