Salman Khan’s Bharat to trace journey of independent India from 1947 to 2002

Salman Khan and the festival of Eid have become synonymous over the years. The superstar has now booked 2019 Eid for his upcoming film, Bharat. The film will be helmed by Abbas Ali Zafar, who has directed the actor in Sultan (2016) and Tiger Zinda Hai, which will be released later this year.

Bharat is the official adaptation of the South Korean film, Ode To My Father (2014). The film depicted Korean history from the 1950s to the current era through the eyes of an ordinary man. Similarly, Bharat will trace the journey of independent India from 1947 to 2002 through the eyes of a character named Bharat. Producer Atul Agnihotri was convinced about the film’s adaptation in Hindi after he saw it at the Berlin Film Festival.

Speaking about Bharat, Agnihotri, who is married to Salman's sister Alvira Khan, said in an official statement, “It’s the journey of a country and also a person, both of whom go by the name of Bharat. It’s a character that I thought would resonate with him. It’s a huge responsibility making a film with Salman as there are big expectations that come with the job.”

He believes Eid is the right time for the film to be released. “I’m very conscious about Salman’s fan base and what they want. And once again, I’m convinced that being a family film it’s worthy of coming during the festive time. And anyway, an Eid release is always every producer’s preferred choice,” he said.

Bharat will be shot in India and abroad and the preparations are in full swing. “We will be shooting in Abu Dhabi and Spain, besides Punjab and Delhi in India. Prep in every department will be elaborate and happening even as we speak,” he added.

So far, only Salman has been named as the part of the cast. Agnihotri further said that they will only cast people who fit the characters. “Casting will be our main agenda over the next three months and since it’s a character-driven story, we will take actors who fit the part. It won’t be about getting names together but will be honest in its depiction,” he added.

The last time Salman and Agnihotri joined hands was for the 2011 Eid blockbuster, Bodyguard.

Bharat will go on floors in April 2018.