Katrina Kaif’s Desire to Star in ‘Veer’: Director Anil Sharma Reveals Why Zareen Khan Was Cast Instead

In the long list of iconic pairings in Bollywood, Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif are quite high on the fan favourite list. But do you know that Katrina Kaif was interested in doing Salman Khan’s 2010 period drama Veer? Well, here’s what the director has to say on why they chose debutante Zareen Khan over Katrina Kaif for the film.

Katrina’s Interest in Veer

In a candid conversation with Siddharth Kannan, director Anil Sharma shared some behind-the-scenes decisions about the casting of Veer. Sharma said Katrina Kaif was in early consideration for the role. The creative team still wanted a fresh face to hit the industry. This decision came right after Salman Khan, too, had a lead in the movie and co-written it himself, identified that Zareen Khan could be perfect for the movie.

Salman’s recommendation did it. Sharma revealed that Salman brought on board Zareen who hailed from a middle class family and insisted on casting her for the film. It was this fact which brought Zareen as the Princess Yashodhara in the serial which raised comparisons between her and Katrina Kaif.

The Katrina-Zareen Comparison

Zareen Khan strikingly resembled Katrina Kaif post the film’s release and that was a much talked topic. Sharma acknowledged these similarities but said it wasn’t done on purpose. “Salman had worked with Katrina and knew her well, but he felt Zareen brought a freshness and innocence to the screen,” he said.

However, Zareen Khan says that she has never gotten tired of such comparisons that she has faced all over her career. In an earlier interview to Navbharat Times, the actress spoke of how the label of a “Katrina lookalike” has impacted her career negatively. “When you enter the industry, your goal is to create your own identity, not to be seen as someone else’s shadow,” she said. Despite carving her niche in Bollywood, filmmakers have often been hesitant to work with her because of this perception.

Salman Khan’s Vision for Veer

Veer was a dream project for Salman Khan as it was his own brainchild. The film is an era of British colonial and involves a warrior fighting for justice and love. With star power like Katrina Kaif on board, the movie would have given a different dimension altogether; however, Salman choosing Zareen was in good faith to nurture talent from the grass root.

Sharma also elaborated on how much Zareen was prepared for the role. Be it learning the small nuances of acting or trying to adjust to the greatness of a period drama, she was put through the right kind of hard work required by the film. “She brought her own charm to the character, and we believed in her potential,” Sharma added.

Journey Of Zareen Khan

Although Veer was a promising debut, Zareen’s journey in Bollywood has not been easy. In interviews, she frequently brings up the issue of how comparisons to Katrina Kaif are constantly drawing attention away from her. Despite all these issues, Zareen remains intent on building an identity of her own and is trying her best by taking on varied roles and performances.

Salman Khan’s Upcomings

Salman Khan, the superstar, is also making headlines with his upcoming projects. He will be seen in Sikandar, directed by AR Murugadoss and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala. The movie, with an ensemble cast of Rashmika Mandanna, Pratiek Babbar, Sathyaraj, and Sharman Joshi, is going to be a blockbuster. Fans can expect the teaser on Salman’s birthday, December 27, 2024.

While Katrina Kaif’s association with Veer remains a fascinating what-if scenario, Zareen Khan’s casting added a layer of freshness to the film. Despite the hurdles she faced post-Veer, Zareen’s story is a testament to resilience in Bollywood’s ever-competitive landscape. As Salman Khan gears up for his next big release, fans continue to celebrate his ability to spot and nurture emerging talent, keeping the industry’s spirit alive.

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