Salman Khan was so inspired by a real- life incident about a tribal youth in the pre-Independence era that he decided not only to weave a plot around it but also star inthe film made on the story. That is how Veer was conceptualised. Gadar maker Anil Sharma, who helms the project, reveals, “Veer is the story of a revolutionary tribal youth. It is really his love story.” Interestingly, the leading lady of this romance hasn’t been found as yet. Considering the warm rapport Sharma shares with Sharma’s Apne heroine, Katrina Kaif, he could have well cast her. “The script requires a new girl,” Sharma reasons,”We will soon finalise that,” he adds evasively.
Salman has been deeply involved in the scripting as well as the styling of the film. He has been pumping iron to acquire a toned body and he also sports long locks. “The shoulder-length mane was Salman’s idea. He felt it would go well with the character. And look how well it suits him,” notes the director happily.
Salman isn’t the only one sculpting his body for the film, Mithun Chakraborty, playing his father, has also hit the gym with a vengeance, “Mithunda looks so powerful and muscular, he looks fabulous as Salman’s dad,” says Sharma. Sohail Khan plays the younger sibling. The film was launched with an elaborate song sequence in Mehboob Studio, Mumbai a couple of months ago, which was “a celebratory song” that brings out the father-son camaraderie between Salman and Mithunda. Choreographed by Rekha Chinni Prakash, the music is by Sajid- Wajid.
Reportedly Veer is pegged at a staggering budget of Rs 120 crores. Without confirming figures director Sharma stresses that it will indeed be one of the most lavish films in today’s times as it will be shot in London, Rajasthan and hills of Himachal Pradesh,”This is the first time that the England of early 1900s will be depicted,” he points out.
Veer is being produced by Vijay Galani who made Bachke Rehna Re Baba (2005), Ajnabee (2001), Achanak (1998) and Suryavanshi (1992).