Pakistani actor and Singer, Ali Zafar does not feature in a promotional song of upcoming film Dear Zindagi but is part of the movie’s cast, sources close to its producers said.There were speculations that amid row over the inclusion of Pakistani artistes in Bollywood, 36-year-old Zafar was replaced by Tahir Raj Bhasin in the movie.
The shooting of the mentioned track with the film’s lead actress Alia Bhatt and Bhasin further fuelled the rumour mills. A source close to film’s production house, Dharma Productions, however, refuted replacement reports and said Tahir has shot only for the promotional song.
Tahir is best known for his negative role in Rani Mukerji-starrer Mardaani for which he was also nominated at the Filmfare Awards in 2015.
Sources close to the 29-year-old actor maintained a “no-comments” stand. Gauri Shinde-directorial venture Dear Zindagi also features superstar Shah Rukh Khan, Angad Bedi, Aditya Roy Kapur, Kunal Kapoor.
Only recently Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil had to bear the brunt of resistance as it starred Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. Many groups, including Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, had asked for a boycott of Pakistani artistes from the Indian film industry post the Uri attack.
Watch the teaser of Dear Zindagi: