Naseer steps into Big B's role

24 Jun 2013

It was meant to be the re-union of director K. C. Bokadia with the Big B. The two of them had come together in 1990 for the blockbuster Aaj Ka Arjun . Bokadia was looking forward to working with the Big B again in his new political drama Dirty Politics which stars Mallika Sherawat in a role inspired by the real-life nurse Bhanwari Devi who was allegedly assassinated by powerful politicians in Rajasthan.

Bokadia wrote the role of an investigative journalist especially for the Big B. But the mega-star was not keen.

Could the presence of a certain Ms Sherawat have something to do with the Big B's reluctance to be part of the film? Says a source, "Bokadia wrote the role of an intrepid investigative reporter especially for Bachchan. It's the kind of dynamic extended cameo that made Bachchan Saab a winner in Andhaa Kanoon. But the Big B didn't show much keenness in doing the role."

Bokadia has now signed Naseeruddin Shah for the part. This is the first time that Naseer would be stepping into a role earmarked for the Big B. Says Bokadia, "I've worked with the other living legend Bachchan Saab. Now I'll be working the Naseer Saab. It's a dream come true for me. I don't think any filmmaker in our country would consider his career complete without working with these two actors."

Shedding light on Naseer's role, Bokadia says, "It's the role of a fearless journalist who is the voice of the nation's conscience. I wanted someone with an imposing voice. It had to be either Bachchan Saab or Naseer Saab."