TZH: Ali Abbas Zafar on Salman-Katrina chemistry overshadowing the film

The trailer of ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’ was all about a story based on real incident, a rescue mission, and some really good high-octane action sequences. We hardly got to see any romantic scene of Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif in the trailer.

But, after the songs ‘Swag Se Swagat’ and ‘Dil Diyan Gallan’, the focus from the film’s content has gone to Salman and Katrina’s chemistry. Even in the promotions, it is more about their chemistry than the film’s content.

So, recently when we met director Ali Abbas Zafar, we asked him if the chemistry of Salman-Katrina is overshadowing the film’s real element, he said, “When the promotions of the film happens, what we very intentionally do it that there could be a big section of crowd who likes action, then there’s a big section of crowd who like romance and want to watch family films. So, you have to cater to everything.”

“When you are making the most hyped film of the year, you have to keep in mind that there will be certain people who will only spend money on this film. So, when they come and watch my film they should not feel that isme toh hamare liye kuch bhi nahi. This is what I maintained even in ‘Sultan’ that most difficult thing today is to make a commercial film.”

“Whenever you make a small film or a niche film, it is easy because with your trailer, with your communication, I will make my mind whether I am going to watch this film or not. But, when there is a Salman Khan film, coming on Christmas, franchise film, I can’t be selfish as a director and say ‘no I am gonna make my film’. I have to be very sure that his fan base, people all over like my mother and father, or anyone of us who likes to watch him and Katrina certain way should also get excited, When they come and sit in the film then my story will either hold your attention or not pull your attention. But I can’t say that if it is an action film I am only going to show people shooting guns,” he added.

Further talking about the songs in the film, he said, “The songs in the film the way they come, the way they have been woven with the screenplay, they all fit in. They are not like suddenly in Iraq ‘Dil Diyan Gallan’ will come and there will be snow. That’s not happening in the film. They all have been thought of, they all have been crafted in a way that when they come in the film you will understand that this is happening for a reason, and now the film is going to move forward.”

Produced by Aditya Chopra, ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’ is slated to hit the screens on December 22, 2017. (Also Read: Tiger Zinda Hai: Salman’s ripped physique shows he is all prepped up as Tiger)

Murtuza Iqbal

‘Eat Sleep Bollywood Repeat’ is his life Mantra. Dance is his first love and Rani Mukerji is his eternal crush. He is someone who loves being himself, and as for the ones who don’t agree, his reply? “Talk to my hand!”