Gauri Shinde's Dear Zindagi has generated quite the buzz in the market, particularly for Shah Rukh Khan and Alia Bhatt's adorable chemistry on screen. There has also been an undercurrent of mystery surrounding the role of Ali Zafar in the film. Speaking at the launch of Absolut Elyx Filmfare Glamour and Style Cover, Alia Bhatt denied that Zafar has been removed from the film.
The Udta Punjab actress said, "Nobody is being replaced. The film will release in its full form. There isn’t much conversation happening around who’s being replaced and who’s not. So, we can leave that topic for some time since it has died down." The actress was proclaimed the Trendsetter of the Year at the event.
The recent upheaval over the presence of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan in Karan Johar's recently released Ae Dil Hai Mushkil has led to a rumour about directors trying to recast and exclude Pakistani cast from their films. Recent reports emerged that Zafar, the Pakistani actor and singer, cast as one of Bhatt's romantic leads in Dear Zindagi had been replaced by Tahir Raj Bhasin.
However, Bhatt's recent statement might put a rest to the rumours for now. Speaking further about the film, Bhatt added, "Dear Zindagi is closest to my life. I am not saying I am exactly that character but I relate to it the most. Getting pissed off with relationships, there is a dialogue in teaser 3, where I say ‘I hate couples’. That happens."
Dear Zindagi is directed by Shinde, and stars Bhatt, Khan, Angad Bedi, Kunal Kapoor and Zafar. The film is set to release on 25 November.