In Salman Khan's Eid offering Bajrangi Bhaijaan (BB), directed by Kabir Khan, the superstar plays Pavan Kumar Chaturvedi, fondly called Bajrangi. He is a devotee of Lord Hanuman and greets people with Jai Shri Ram. He has reportedly chanted it over a 100 times in the course of the film. Although he is from a family of wrestlers, he doesn't follow their footsteps because he is very ticklish. The story gears up when he decides to help Munni (Harshaali Malhotra), a little Pakistani girl and reunite her with her parents across the border. During the course of his journey , he also meets Rasika (Kareena Kapoor Khan), whose family shares a very good friendship with his folks. After he crosses into Pakistan, he is aided by a local television journalist (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) to reach Munni's family.

The camaraderie between the actors helped add authenticity to the proceedings on screen. Kareena, who has worked with Salman earlier, says, “Salman is strong-headed but he doesn't show it. Whether in his career or his personal life, he has always risen like a phoenix.“

The actress, who's happy to work with Kabir for the first time, says, “From the time Kabir called me for this film, I just felt the energy was right. As far as BB is concerned, there is drama, emotion and everything to engage the viewer with the narrative.“

Nawaz, who plays a key character, says, “I enjoyed working with both Salman and Kabir immensely. It has been an enriching experience.“

Summing it up, Salman, who's also producing the movie, says that at two hours and thirty-four minutes, “BB is a fun film that teaches pertinent lessons in humanity. It has its heart in the right place. And by the time you come out of theaters, it will make you a better person.“ On his director, the superstar says, “Kabir and I have worked together earlier. With Bajrangi Bhaijaan, we've understood our working style. The best thing about him is that he has a clear vision and makes sure that his actors see that.“


BEHIND THE SCENES
BB is the first film for which Salman shot in Kashmir. The superstar also reportedly gifted television sets to the houses of a small town where they shot a portion of the film.

The song Bhar Do Jholi Meri was picturised at the famous Ashmuqam Dargah near Pahalgam in Kashmir, the first time a film has been shot there. Apparently, it's impossible to get permission, and reportedly, the J&K Chief Minister stepped in to help it happen.

A few important scenes were also shot at Atari railway station, the last stop on the Amritsar-Lahore route that is close to the Indo-Pak border.


MUSICAL NOTES
Salman's films are known to have catchy songs. This time around, the actor has got Pritam Chakraborty for a large part of the soundtrack. Peppy tracks like Selfie Le Le Re and Aaj Ki Party have been popular since their release, while the travel number Zindagi Kuch Toh Bata and the romantic track Tu Chahiye, too have caught on with the listeners.

DIRECTOR'S TAKE

Kabir Khan:
Over the last few years, watching a Salman-starrer has become an almost integral part of Eid cele brations. And this year too, with the festival round the corner, I can feel the familiar public euphoria building up. Obviously, I'm waiting for Eid to bring on Bajrangi Bhaijaan.

PRODUCER'S NOTE

Amar Butala (COO, Salman Khan Films):
Salman had made Eid a lucrative window with Wanted (2009). And since then, this festival has been synonymous with Salman. Bajrangi Bhaijaan is this year's most awaited film, be it with the audience, the distributors or the exhibitors. This is Salman's widest release in India and overseas. We're confident that the content of the film will not only be loved by his fans in India but will resonate with newer audiences across the 50-plus countries the film will release in.

Bajrangi Bhaijaan, produced by Salman Khan Films and Rockline Venkatesh, and released worldwide by Eros International, comes tomorrow.