Aditya Chopra is hands-on with Kabir for Salman’s Ek Tha Tiger

June 2, 2011 - 2:57 AM IST

Aditya Chopra is going all out to ensure that Ek Tha Tiger starts off on the right note and turns out to be one of the most awaited films of 2012 when it gets ready for release. The story goes that he was working in close coordination with director Kabir Khan and his writer Neelesh Misra when the film was being put on paper. Since this is the first time that Salman is working for the Chopra banner, Adi is going an extra mile to make it a special film.

Aditya Chopra is hands-on with Kabir for Salman’s Ek Tha Tiger

"Well, this proves two things. One, that Adi indeed exists. After all with nil public appearance in so many years, there are bound to be doubts", chuckles a fellow filmmaker, "Secondly, it also shows that Chopras are very serious and conscious about the fact that with their first time coming together with Salman, the film is indeed once in many years phenomenon. Everything has to be just picture perfect for Ek Tha Tiger since this is one of their most ambitious projects till date."

This means that there was special attention from everyone in the production house when Ek Tha Tiger was being devised. So while Kabir Khan went on to spend close to a year and a half in developing this project which is his third film for Chopras after New York and Kabul Express, Adi and Co. were also keeping a constant tab on how the film was progressing.

"Chopras are currently the busiest people in the B-town. They have a project each with Aamir (Dhoom 3) and Shah Rukh (yet untitled) as well which would again be real biggies. In addition they are also making Ladies v/s Ricky Bahl with their now-favourite 'jodi' of Anushka Sharma and Ranveer Singh. Not to forget 3-4 other small films that they are making under Y-Films", says a source.

"While Dhoom 3 is bound to work as it is a franchise and Yash Chopra-Shah Rukh Khan combo is unbeatable, Ek Tha Tiger with Salman needs added attention due to an entirely new combination. There is no stone which is being left unturned. Also, since the film has an international set up and would be travelling various countries across the globe, there are various logistics related requirements to be taken care of. Salman is currently busier than before which means his dates too come at a premium. There is no room for error. A lot is at stake with this film", he adds.

On contacted, Kabir doesn't deny Adi's involvement in the project. However he adds that he is not just Mr. Moneybag on his films and is in fact creatively attached to every film of his regardless of the star or the director.

"At Yash Raj Films, Adi is more than just someone who is backing your project. He is involved right from the time when he finalises a subject to the time when the final draft of the script is ready. He isn't making an exception with Ek Tha Tiger; I experienced this in New York and Kabul Express as well", says Kabir who would be beginning the film's shoot this July, "I would love to see more such interactions with him. He is a great sounding board to have."

Add Salman to the entire creative process and we have three geniuses working together to tell the story of one tiger. Way to go!