Pakistani ‘Prince of Pop’ Ali Zafar, who is creating a name for himself in Bollywood, has been getting many film offers in recent months. Zafar was recently offered the role of a gigolo, reported Times of India.
The producer, who approached the singer-turned-actor, insisted that Zafar was perfect for the part. Despite Zafar’s refusal, the film-maker persisted and even offered to pay him whatever fee he demanded. However Zafar remained adamant and refused the offer. The “Channo” hitmaker was last seen with Katrina Kaif and Imran Khan in Mere Brother Ki Dulhan.
Of late there’s been a lot of speculation regarding Zafar’s finicky nature in films. Times of India stated that, “If Akshay Kumar and John Abraham are playing male escorts in (Desi Boyz) an upcoming film, why can’t he?”
Last month Ali Zafar created waves in the media when he blatantly stated that he won’t kiss his co-star Aditi Rao on screen in his upcoming film, London, Paris, New York. Zafar’s publicist Ammara Hikmat clarified to The Express Tribune, “Ali refused to kiss his co-star and the script had to be changed to suit his demands. He tries his best to keep general values of his home country in mind and work in a way where he can fulfil his professional obligations and not disappoint his fans at the same time. We have witnessed his choices to do this and make us proud.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 11th, 2011.
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@AliZafarsays "Sometimes some news about me is news for me too. Hota hai..." This is what Ali Z tweeted. This is a fake story planted by someone. LOL.
@sal: "I don’t understand the point of this debate however I know for a fact Tere Bin Laden was an entertaining indian film that explained the stance of Pakistanis for the first time on WOT so Mr. Rehmat watch the film first !"
I saw Tere Bin Laden and loved it. I just have a problem with the hypocrisy where his PR person claims on his behalf that he rejected a movie so as to not offend Pakistani sensibility. This statement is at odds with the facts and I was pointing it out. So it is not I who am laying down criteria for which films Ali should accept -it's his decision and his alone. All I ask is don't make bombastic statements while refusing a movie when those statements are inconsistent with facts.
whether art is naked or not naked ali zafar is one smart singer who knows how to play his cards right.. he is in the news for no apparent reason, good publicity team
@sam: Art "is" not naked.....but...."could be" naked only...at times.....You should know the difference!
I don't understand the point of this debate however I know for a fact Tere Bin Laden was an entertaining indian film that explained the stance of Pakistanis for the first time on WOT so Mr. Rehmat watch the film first !
If you start judging an actor by every role he plays or make it it an issue of Pakistani sensibility, no one should play the role of a prostitute in a film? (an actor may be ecouraging prostitution in a country then) No pakistani actor should dance in a film (as dancing on streets is against pakistani sensibility?), May be we should hate 80 percent of our actors who have played the role of a womanizer (alcoholic or non alcoholic) on tv and big screen, they were morally corrupt and seriously misleading not to forget against our pakistani sensibilities.. we should only show maulvis with beards because that's more relevant to Pakistan? what kind of a douche are you..I haven't watched his last movie but i have seen the first one and i respect him for the work he has done..
It's a personal decision.
Why are we even discussing about this?
@sania Mujeeb: "He may not have liked the script duhhh there can be so many reasons"
Absolutely. Like any other actor he has a right to refuse a movie for any reason and does not need to provide explanations.
It is however his PR person who says "“He tries his best to keep general values of his home country in mind and work in a way where he can fulfil his professional obligations and not disappoint his fans at the same time. We have witnessed his choices to do this and make us proud.” There of course she is lying unless playing the role of an alcoholic womanizer (which he played in Mere Brother Ki Dulhan) is in tune with Pakistani sensibilities. HE also acted in Tere Bin Laden which was banned in Pakistan for not portraying Pakistanis in a good light
It is his choice to play which ever role he wants to play and its his choice to decline whichever role he does not want to play. Comparisons with Akshay Kumar etc and snide remarks about 'keeping jihadis at bay' and 'professionalism' are equally stupid as people calling Jessica Alba a prude for not doing nude scenes in movies.
Bottom line, it is an actors/actresses personal choice on what they want to or dont want to act as. Kudos to Ali Zafar for being true to himself and not selling out for a larger paycheck.
its an other way to say that he doesn't want to kiss an Indian girl... he wud have seen her without makeup....
You have got Guts Mate.... Good to see some one willing to take a stand for what he believes in...!
He played an alcoholic womanizer in his last movie (MBKD) and from Pakistani sensibilities, this could have been a bit provocative. But no one had any issues with it. Personally I am in favor of removing the word 'Islamic' from name, history and existence of Pakistan and make it completely secular. So anyone can live their lives however they want, and not subject to someone else's preference or ideas. But in regards to this article, did anyone think may be the gigolo role/script didn't have any substance to it and could be the reason for his refusal? TOI celebrity news is just one big masala factory, so never trust what it's reporting!
I'm sorry, how is it keeping up with the morals of a country when he is just acting? He'll probably be given an Hindu name in the movie too. I would understand if he is not comfortable with a particular role but grandiloquent claims of upholding country's morals is total BS. What happened to these morals when he acted in "Tere bin Laden".
Zafar’s publicist Ammara Hikmat clarified to The Express Tribune, “He tries his best to keep general values of his home country in mind and work in a way where he can fulfil his professional obligations and not disappoint his fans at the same time. We have witnessed his choices to do this and make us proud.”
Ummm was he the lead actor in Tere Bin Laden which showed ISI in a poor light?
@A Pakistani fan: "Akshay Kumar and John are just actors, mere mortals, only rich and with successful films, nothing much; they are not a candle in the dark which must be followed"
I definitely agree with that. He is within his rights to determine which roles he wants to accept depending on the brand he wishes to create for himself.
I disagree however with his attempt to portray a professional decision as a principled one. No principles were involved because he HAS accepted movies in the past that Pakistani censorboard felt showed Pakistan in a poor light e.g. Tere Bin Laden.
Ali Zafar, Pakistan is proud of you! Keep up this spirit, and may Allah help you succeed even more.
Had he accepted the role it would have been another issue, now that he has refused, he is of finicky nature.. what exactly is Times of India's problem?
Is professionalism completely dead?
He's being asked to play the part of a gigolo, not become a gigolo. There is no such thing as a "bad" role. There's only bad acting.
BEST WISHES FROM PAKISTAN!
IGNORE THE HATERS..WE LOVE YOU...And yes PLEASE BE VERY VERY CAREFUL ABOUT YOUR MOVIES< YOU ARE PAKISTAN'S PRIDE <3 THUMBS UP to this decision! :D
Art is Naked. I hope he knows that.
Ali Zafar is quite the opposite of Veena Malik who would do anything for money in Bollywood. Well done Ali Zafar we love you, keep it up.
Good to know that he's wise enough to avoid controversial roles which don't benefit his career.
I think he can definitely choose to accept or refuse a role if he wish to, especally if he wants to keep his distance. This also shows that money is not the sole thing that occupy his mind. I didnt care so much so far about Ali Zafar, nor have i been specially impressed with his songs or acting; he also seems detached in interviews but he has certainly got my respect for standing up for what he thinks is right. Akshay Kumar and John are just actors, mere mortals, only rich and with successful films, nothing much; they are not a candle in the dark which must be followed. Bravo Ali. You make us proud.
Every actor - not just Pak actors choose some roles and reject others. Ali Zafar is no different. It is unclear why every time Ali refuses a role he makes it to be some big patriotic issue. If that were they case why did he accept Tere Bin Laden - a movie that Pakistani censors felt showed the country in a poor light?
No-one would hold his rejecting movies - all actors do that. But if he starts to tom tom all the movies he has rejected thereby embarrassing producers, he will gain notority as an unprofessional actor and reduce the number of producers willing to work with him/
OK and....?
Poor fellow. Dont blame him. He wants to keep the jihadis at bay.
Ali Zafar is a RAW agent. You all will see his next assignment will be an Afghanistani movie by bollywood to create a goodwill there.