Atif to act in Bollywood film?

Atif Aslam may be the next Pakistani heart-throb to star in an Indian produce film.

Marking his acting debut in Shoaib Mansoor’s upcoming film Bol, Atif Aslam may be seen in a Bollywood film soon, reports India FM. Confirming the news, producer Kumar Taurani of Tips Productions said, “Yes, Atif will be making his Bollywood debut with my film.” The contract, however, is yet to be signed. “Though I am saying this, it should be clear that nothing is yet finalised, we are still talking to Atif,” Turani added.

When The Express Tribune contacted Aslam, he said, “Yes, I have quite a few offers in hand, but currently I’m not considering any one of them. I am concentrating on Bol, Shoaib Mansoor’s film and planning out my next album.”

Though having no immediate plans to sign another film, Aslam was earlier reported to be going through scripts of Indian films he was offered.“I would like to act in a Bollywood film. It’s not my forte, but I want to give it a try,” Aslam told IANS in November last year. “I have various offers from Bollywood but nothing has been finalised. I am reading scripts at the moment. Once something is finalised, I will make an official announcement,” he added.

No matter where the talks between Aslam and Indian filmmakers end up, the singer has reportedly signed a deal to do the music for three films of the production house. “Atif has also signed on with Tips to release his music and album, the first of which will happen next year in January after which we will formally announce the film with him as the lead. Another sign that we are happy about and looking forward to is that Atif as well as being the voice for many Bollywood stars will also be singing and doing his own music for the film,” Turani told India FM.

Clearing the hearsay on his upcoming album, Aslam told The Express Tribune, “Rumour has it that I plan to call this new album Ansoo or Shabnum but I must tell you, (laughs) that it is just a rumour. I have not finalised a name for it, as yet.”

If Aslam gives his nod for appearing in a Bollywood film in the near future, he will be among the few Pakistani singers to appear in an Indian film. For now it is Ali Zafar celebrating his success of his Bollywood debut Tere Bin Laden, soon after which he joined Yash Raj Film’s Mere Brother Ki Dulhan. Getting offers from multiple filmmakers, Zafar may sign for David Dhawan’s next Chashme Badoor. “David and I have only met once briefly and discussed movies in general,” said Zafar who also promised to make an announcement soon, reports Hindustan Times.

Over the course of time, one has seen several Pakistani artists perform in Bollywood films casting Mona Lisa, Meera, Zeba Bakhtiar, Javed Sheikh, Salma Agha and Moammar Rana.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2010.