After GADAR and INDIAN, Sunny Deol will be seen in a National Hero's role once again in MAA TUJHHE SALAAM. The film is produced by Mahendra Dhariwal and directed by action co-ordinator Tinu Verma, Sunny's favourite action co-ordinator.

The film was scheduled for release on December 14, 2001, but the release was postponed "since a song remained to be picturised," producer Dhariwal tells me, adding, "In any case, we didn't want to speed up since there was no deadline as such." The song in question was shot in Kullu-Manali in the first week of December.

MAA TUJHHE SALAAM is the story of an Indian military officer, Major Pratap Singh (Sunny Deol), who aborted a terrorist infiltration attempt of the enemy country single-handedly with the help of a few local civilians, at an area that's located near the border of India.

Zhonabad is the name of the area that is located at the high-altitude mountain ravines. In this area lives a man called Lala (Tinu Verma). Since his ancestors were landlords before independence, Lala is a much respected and influential man there. But behind the curtain, he is the agent of the enemy country who helps infiltration of terrorists and ammunition through the passes in mountains known to him and his men only. In the winter season, the weather conditions become unfit for inhabitants of the area, who are forced to shift to other places from there. Lala takes advantage of this situation and carries out his activities.

Albaksh (Arbaaz Khan) is an illiterate person. He works like a slave for Lala, without knowing that Lala is indulging in anti-national activities. He is Lala's main henchman.

Captain Sonia (Tabu), a military intelligence officer, gets to know of Lala and Albaksh's anti-national activities and she informs the military of it. The military authorities order Major Pratap to go to Zhonabad to keep an eye on Lala and Albaksh. In the meanwhile, Albaksh comes to know of Lala's activities. He opposes Lala, but invites his wrath in turn. Lala frames and potrays Alabksh as a traitor and terrorist in the eyes of law. The police arrest Albaksh.

Subsequently, Major Pratap meets Albaksh, who reveals Lala's activities and also how he is all set to help the infiltrators into the country through Zhonabad. Since there isn't much time for the Indian military force to reach Zhonabad, Major Pratap decides to fight the battle alone with the help of Albaksh and the local people.

What happens next?

MAA TUJHHE SALAAM co-stars Sudesh Berry and Malaika Arora-Khan and is scheduled for release on January 25, 2002.