Imran Abbas who has starred in films like, Creature 3D, Jaanisaar, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (ADHM) is going great guns in Bollywood.
Just months after scoring a cameo in Karan Johar’s ADHM – featuring A-list actors Ranbir Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai, Anushka Sharma and Fawad Khan – rumours had it that Imran was also offered the lead negative role in Katrina Kaif, Aditya Roy Kapur starrer Fitoor.
The actor confirmed it while talking to local media that he was indeed approached to be a part of the project but had to opt out because he wasn’t allowed to enter Indian-held Kashmir. “Abhishek Kapoor (director of Fitoor) offered me a role in his film but I wasn’t allowed to go to Srinagar where the shoot took place,” he said.
Imran also disclosed that the film was put on hold for him. “The team waited for me for a couple of months as my passport was on hold since Pakistanis are barred to enter that territory.”
Due to Imran’s visa issues, the crew even decided to change the location for his scenes but things didn’t work out. “A shooting spell involving Katrina and me was delayed for four, five months. Unfortunately things didn’t work out,” the Jaanisaar actor said.
Sharing details about his role Imran said, “It was a really good role. Abhishek himself is a very good director so I couldn’t say no to him.”
He also disclosed that he was initially paired opposite Rekha — who was later replaced by Tabu. “After Abhishek met me in person, he decided to change my role to a bigger character named Bilal that has a longer track in the film.”
The only reason why Imran couldn’t do the film is because both characters required him to be in Srinagar. Fitoor is slated to release on February 12.
