Ali Zafar to play Shahid Kapoor’s brother

The Pakistani actor has been finalised for a role in the remake of Vettai.

Pakistani singer-cum-actor Ali Zafar will play Shahid Kapoor’s older brother in the much talked-about Hindi remake of last year’s Tamil blockbuster Vettai reports Times of India.

Bollywood actor R Madhavan played the older brother in the original film. Chennai director N Linguswamy, who helms both the Tamil and Hindi remake of Vettai says, “Madhavan is out of the country for three months. Since we can’t wait, we have finalised Shahid Kapoor to play the younger brother. We’re going ahead with Ali Zafar for the other hero’s role.”

Age difference

Interestingly enough, there was a 10-year age gap between screen brothers Madhavan and Arya in Vettai. Ali Zafar who will play Shahid’s elder brother in the remake is hardly a year older than Kapoor. Regarding the age-difference, a source close to the project informed, “Ali may be just a year older. But he played Imran Khan’s elder brother in Mere Brother Ki Dulhan.”

Zafar, who is now wrapping up another remake Chashme Baddoor for David Dhawan will be meeting his screen brother shortly. As for the leading ladies, Linguswamy burst the Bollywood bubble by saying he has so far not finalised any female actor.

Zafar jams with brother Danyal

Meanwhile, when Zafar isn’t busy with films, he likes taking a break from his hectic schedule to spend time at home with his teenage brother Danyal. Apparently, the brothers love jamming together. According to a source, Danyal is a blues and rock guitar player.

“During their younger days, they used to practise together and play different songs. That has relatively changed since Zafar moved to Bollywood. No wonder, the singer is cherishing every minute of his leisure in his hometown Lahore,” the source said.

(With additional information from NDTV)

Published in The Express Tribune, April 22^nd, 2012.