Ali Zafar’s brother’s film debut in jeopardy, family can’t send him to shoot, putting the makers in a tight spot
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 20, 2016)

After prepping over months with five newcomers for his untitled prison drama, filmmaker Habib Faisal is apparently in a fix. Reason? One of the five boys in the movie is a 20-year-old Pakistani, Danyal Zafar, better known as singer-actor Ali Zafar’s brother.

According to sources, following the “hyperbolic reporting around Uri attacks in the social and mainstream media, and a call for a ban against Pakistani artistes by various groups in India, Danyal had to rush out of Mumbai a few weeks ago, and head back to his hometown, Lahore, for the time being.” Given that the situation hasn’t improved since, or is unlikely to anytime soon, sources close to the film’s production say, “Danyal’s family is hugely apprehensive about sending him back to Mumbai now. The filmmakers are also in no position to assert themselves. They can’t guarantee his security either.”

This leaves the film unit with few options, besides remain in limbo. The group of five debutant actors in the film, produced by Yash Raj, had bonded well, and were set to start shoot early November. Danyal had been roped in as the film’s romantic hero.

The only silver lining, says the insider from the filmmaking unit, is that “at least we haven’t begun principal photography yet, unlike in the case of the Fawad Khan-starrer Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Gauri Shinde’s Dear Zindagi with Ali Zafar in it, or, for that matter, Raees that stars Pakistani actress Mahira Khan, alongside Shah Rukh Khan. There is very little one can do about those movies.”

A unit hand adds, “Habib’s film is about a bunch of convicts who form an in-house rock band in prison. One of the girls is from the North East. Danyal, who is known to have a flair for rock music, is a guitar player, and a fine singer as well. At this point, Habib is unsure about what his next move should be. It is rather late in the day to look for a replacement. It will be difficult to find another actor who fits the part so well. The film’s first schedule was supposed to kick-start in Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh).”

Srishti Dixit (DNA; January 2, 2015)


Now we hear that YRF will also be Ali’s younger brother’s launchpad! Our khabroo reveals that Aditya Chopra met Ali’s younger brother Danyal Zafar at Kill Dil’s premiere and that was when he decided to give him his big debut!

Danyal is only 18 years old but under the mentoring of YRF and his elder brother, the budding star is sure to create a stir. The young lad is also a singer/performer like his brother and has performed at music events before. He has his brother’s good looks and won’t have any trouble finding female fans once he appears on the silver screen.