Jackie Shroff is the latest addition to the cast of director Ali Abbas Zafar’s Bharat. The veteran actor will be playing father to Salman Khan, who plays the lead role in the period drama. There were unconfirmed reports about the casting, which the makers have now confirmed.
In an official statement, Zafar revealed the reason for signing Shroff and the entire process. “We met Jaggu da in London and discussed his dates and looks. I have wanted to work with him for a long time as I feel he is the perfect amalgamation of a star and actor. I was very glad as Jackie sir instantly agreed with the story to do the film in just 20 minutes of the narration,” he said.
Before this film, Shroff and Khan have worked together in films like Bandhan (1998), Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye (2000), Kyon Ki... (2005) and Veer (2010). But Bharat will be the first movie where the two will share screen space as father and son.
In fact, as per an official statement by the producers, the father-son bond is an important detail even though the film is the journey of a nation. “Bharat depicts the eternal bond shared by a father and son, which is quite evident in the teaser,” said the statement. The Korean film on which Bharat is based is titled Ode To My Father (2014).
After the first schedule in Mumbai, the unit completed the second schedule recently in Malta.
Bharat also stars Katrina Kaif, Disha Patani and Sunil Grover. The film will be released during Eid in 2019.