Salman can be India's James Bond

Director Kabir Khan, who cast Salman Khan as a RAW agent in "Ek Tha Tiger", says the actor is apt to become India's James Bond. 

"Salman, I think, has the charisma and the sheer presence that a Bond needs," the 41-year-old said here Wednesday at the premiere of latest 007 movie "Skyfall".

"You look at him, he is strong, silent. But you know when he, sort of, goes into action, there is going to be a lot of thrill," he added. 

Kabir said: "When I was making 'Ek Tha Tiger', I was conscious that we didn't want to do a Bond because I feel that there is a difference between Hindi films and Hollywood films.
"In our films, even in love stories, our heroes are James Bond, so there has to be a differentiator." 

However, Kabir did incorporate a few aspects of Bond movies.

"We stayed away from the sort of Bond style of presenting an agent. Yes, the action we took, a lot of effort was taken to make it international and it was probably very similar to the kind of action that you see nowadays in the new Bond films, more realistic," he said.

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Kabir Khan to climb Mount Kilimanjaro

After the stupendous success of "Ek Tha Tiger", director Kabir Khan is off for a new adventure! He is all set to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa.

"I am working on a couple of ideas. Actually, day after I leave for Kilimanjaro, that's the one thing I promised myself to do. After climbing the mountain of 'Ek Tha Tiger', I want to do that, " the 41-year-old said here Friday at the Blu-ray DVD launch of the film.

Khan is also expected to lock his next project once he returns from his 10-day expedition.

"Once I get back from Kilimanjaro, if I get back, then I will sit and concretise my plan. By next month I should be clear as to what I am doing next, " he said.

He set the cash registers ringing with Salman Khan as the star of "Ek Tha Tiger", but the filmmaker says he is open to working with new faces. Nevertheless, he asserts that certain stories demand the presence of stars.

"I think we all need fresh faces in the industry and I am happy that Yash Raj Films is launching new talent every year. Definitely, I am open to fresh faces. But then we should remember that if the budget is big, you need stars.

"Some stories need stars while there are others where if you rope in a star, it looks like over-casting and new faces work well here. So accordingly, the casting should be done, " he added.

His first directorial was "Kabul Express" in 2006 followed by "New York" in 2009.

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Chal Dublin…. Tiger Promotes Irish Tourism, Kabir Invited to Trinity

Kabir Khan is off to Dublin shortly for a very special screening of his blockbuster Ek Tha Tiger for the students, teachers and staff of the Trinity College in Dublin.

For those cynical sections of the audience which believe mainstream cinema serves no purpose beyond timepass entertainment, here is an eye-opener. After the release of Kabir's Ek Tha Tiger which was shot extensively in Dublin, there has been a huge leap in Indian tourism to Ireland.

`Not only that, ` informs Kabir, `After seeing Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif on the campus of Trinity College in Dublin, the institution has reported a substantial increase in the number of students from India seeking admission at Trinity College. I was blown to hear this.

So far I always thought no matter where you shot the film and no matter how noble your intentions, a film at the end of day, was considered just entertainment.

Though I've never made entertainment films per se, none of my earlier films had this kind of an impact. I've discovered to my absolute delight that after the release of Ek Tha Tiger tourists from India to Ireland have increased manifold. `

And now the Trinity College and the Irish government want to honour Kabir and his film. On September 22 Ek Tha Tiger would be screened at the Trinity College for the entire staff and faculty. Not only that, the college would also host a cricket match in honour of the film.

Explains Kabir, `Kumar Shri Ranjitsinghji after whom the Rajni trophy is named, owns a castle right outside Trinity College. So they want to organize a mock-Ranji Trophy match in honour of Ek Tha Tiger. `

As Kabir readies to take his film to the next level he seems incredulous. `When the boxoffice numbers started coming in I was unable to comprehend the impact that the film was making.

Today when the revenues are close to Rs 200 crores I am thankful to Salman for surrendering to my vision. He did exactly what I asked him to. The film brought in not just his traditional fans but also a whole new section of the audience which heard from word of mouth, that it was a different Salman in Ek Tha Tiger. `

Salman and Katrina's fan club in Dublin has multipled many times over. They've received an open invitation from the Trinity College to visit. They would do so as soon as they find the time.

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How many actors can you call Tiger apart from Salman Khan?

Kabir Khan explains why Salman rocks in his film 'Ek Tha Tiger', actor's chemistry with former ladylove Katrina

Kabir Khan is currently waiting with bated breath for the release of his upcoming film, starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif. The former documentary filmmaker started his Bollywood career with Kabul Express, followed by New York. 

During the course of the conversation, while Khan admits that the industry today is indeed driven by numbers, he doesn't wish to conform to the media's make-believe clubs. In a freewheeling chat, he talks about his experience with Salman, the actor's chemistry with former ladylove Katrina and the Rs 100-crore club. . . 

Salman had a surgery during the making of the film. Did it affect the overall outcome?
No, it happened at the very beginning of the project. He took a proper break to get his nerve disorder in the face treated. We commenced only after his surgery, so there was no delay or interruption of any sort. 
Is it true that Hrithik Roshan was the first choice for the film?
These were mere speculations. Yash Raj banner makes many films at the same time and at the end of the day, how many actors can you call Tiger in the industry? Also, I'm one of those filmmakers who write a story keeping the actor's personality in mind. 

So Salman it was from the beginning.. ?
Absolutely. He has the inherent qualities of the character I had envisioned even before we got down to shoot. In the film, Salman's simply a legend and needless to say, he fits to the tee. Today, I can't see anyone else in this role. 

Did his personal equation with Katrina ever come in the way of the film?
As far as I could see, they were extremely friendly and comfortable in each other's presence throughout the shoot. After all, they've known each other for almost a decade now. Their chemistry speaks for itself on the screen. 
What do you think of the Rs 100 crore club?
It's just a media creation. (Laughs) I don't know where this club is or where its headquarter is located. Is it in Lokhandwala? (Laughs again) The box office collection is indeed a parameter of success but it's not the only one. 

Earlier, we used to judge a film by its silver or golden jubilee. Personally, I believe numbers don't always justify success. Just because Spider-Man rakes in more money doesn't make it a superior film than Rain Man. 

There are talks about you moving away from the Yash Raj camp and working with Sajid Nadiadwala. Is it true?
As of now, there are only talks going on. Nothing has been finalised yet. Anyway, it's not like I'll leave this production house for good and not come back to work again. Aditya (Chopra) has supported me from the very beginning and I'll always remain thankful for that. 

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Kabir Khan's acid test, getting okay from Salim Khan

Director Kabir Khan says that when renowned screenwriter and Salman Khan's father Salim Khan okayed "Ek Tha Tiger" without any changes, he felt he has passed an important exam.

"When we were in film school, we used to read Salim saab's screenplay to know how to write a good screenplay. So obviously, when we showed this film to Salim saab, I was a bit nervous. We didn't show him the print but on the editing machine because I wanted to incorporate his inputs or any changes, " Kabir said in an interview.

"But when he saw the film, he was very happy. He hugged me and said the film is very beautiful as it is. Don't change anything and release it as it is. I felt like I had cleared my final exams and I was not bothered about anyone else's opinion after that, " he added.

Releasing Aug 15, "Ek Tha Tiger" has been shot in foreign locations like Cuba. Kabir says it was fun to explore a location untouched by filmmakers for a long time.

"Cuba is my favourite location and it was a special experience. Not just Bollywood but in Hollywood also, no one has shot in Cuba after 1959. So, as a filmmaker the fun there is in exploring a new location was interesting. The people there are very interesting, their music, dance, location. So Cuba will always be special, " he said.

Kabir has earlier directed films like "Kabul Express" and "New York".

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Kabir Khan calls Ek Tha Tiger complete package

The much awaited Yash Raj Films' romantic action thriller "Ek Tha Tiger", which sees Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif coming together after four years, is a complete package and it has many USPs, says its director Kabir Khan

"There is not one USP of the film and I think that is the reason why people are liking the promo too. 'Ek Tha Tiger' is a complete package film. It has the whole package of Salam-Katrina, action and Yash Raj productions, " said Khan, who got critical acclaim for his movies "Kabul Express" and "New York", at a press conference here Sunday.

The director also was present and both of them came wearing 'Being tiger' T-shirts. Talking about his favourite shot, the 46-year-old actor said since the film is so well made, he cannot pick one shot.

"It will take me at least a day to think and tell you my one favourite shot from the film. When the movie is not good, then it is easy to pick one best shot. But in a movie like 'Ek Tha Tiger', where every shot is so good, one cannot tell which is the best one, " he said. Releasing on Independence Day, Wednesday, "Ek Tha... is Salman-Katrina's first release after they parted ways. Their last film together was 2008 release "Yuvvraaj".

Salman appreciates Katrina's performance in the film and says she is very good in the film. "Sonia in 'Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya' was okay, Anushka in 'Yuvvraaj' was good but Zoya in 'Ek Tha Tiger' is too good, " he said. Katrina, who was also expected at the conference, did not turn up, as she was not well. Both Salman and Kabir Khan apologised for her absence.

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My wife my greatest critic: Kabir Khan

Whenever Kabir Khan wants an honest opinon on his work, the director relies on his wife, TV anchor Mini Mathur, because she won't hesitate to tell him that his work is "terrible".

"She is my conscious sounding board. She is the first person who sees my script; she is the first person who sees my film, she is the strongest critic. She knows that nobody will tell me the way my film has come out," Kabir told.

"If there is something that she has not liked, she will clearly tell me on my face. She will say, 'it is terrible'. My wife Mini is my greatest critic.

"She is also somebody who loves the kind of stuff I do. We talk about our professional life. She is part and parcel of entire process of all my films," he added.

When asked whether would he direct Mini in the near future, Kabir said: "Mini, for some strange reason, has decided not to act. Once in a while she does, but that is for a friend. You will not see me directing her."

After critically acclaimed "Kabul Express" and "New York", Kabir is currently gearing up for the release of his third film "Ek Tha Tiger". Featuring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, it is scheduled for an Aug 15 release.

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A Tiger Twintterview with Kabir Khan

Director Kabir Khan is certainly thrilled with the response of his next big film, Ek Tha Tiger. He is going all the way to promote this action packed film starring one of the most wanted jodi of Bollywood, Salman Khan & Katrina Kaif.

The trailers and the songs have been extremely well received as people can't stop raving about the Tiger. So for all the curious Ek Tha Tiger fans, Kabir Khan is going to answer all your questions today from 4 pm to 5 pm on Twitter.

Kabir will respond to all the questions with the hash tag #EkThaTiger. This Twintterview with Kabir Khan will enable fans to interview Kabir Khan and ask him anything they want to know about Ek Tha Tiger and its making. This interview will be live on the official Ek Tha Tiger's official twitter handle - @EkThaTiger

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Kabir Khan to work outisde YRF?

Ek Tha Tiger director to do his first film outside Yash Chopra's production for Sajid Nadiadwala

After making three films with Yash Chopra’s production banner, director Kabir Khan has finally moved out of the camp. Kabir, who made his directorial debut with Kabul Express and than made New York with the banner, will soon have his Salman Khan-Katrina Kaif spy thriller releasing this Eid.

Now that his three films deal is over, buzz is that he has been signed by Sajid Nadiadwala. The film is said to star Hrithik Roshan in the lead.

A source informs, “While there were rumours that Ekta Kapoor wants to sign Kabir for her next production, it is Sajid who has managed to sign him for his next. Hrithik who is already committed to Sajid for his next will be doing the film.

However everything about the film will only be announced after Kabir’s film with Salman and Katrina is released in Eid.” The source further says, “Earlier Hrithik was scheduled to do Sajid’s film which was to be directed by Imtiaz Ali.

However after Rockstar, Imtiaz has signed on Ranbir to do the film and that’s why Hrithik will be doing Kabir’s film. Kabir incidentally wanted Hrithik for his upcoming thriller however due to date issues, Kabir went to Salman who is now doing the film.”

Sajid Nadiadwala says, “It is too early to comment anything on the film.”

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