Zayed Khan recently completed 20 years in the industry. Bollywood Hungama exclusively spoke to him and he revealed that his comeback film, TFTNW, belonging to the mockumentary genre, will be out very soon. Over the course of the conversation, this writer pointed out how he did some very interesting films in his career but sadly it’s not talked about. Mission Istaanbul (2008) was a slick action thriller and it came way before Ek Tha Tiger (2012), Tiger Zinda Hai (2017), Baby (2015), Pathaan (2023) and many other Middle-Eastern-based films became common in the industry. Vaada (2005) was a taut suspense thriller. Sadly, these two and a few other films by the actor never got their due.
On this, Zayed Khan said, “True. I guess I was always very ahead of time and that was reflected in my choices. Films like Mission Istaanbul, Shabd (2005) and Vaada were ahead of their time.
Shabd also co-starred Sanjay Dutt and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and arguably is fit for today’s OTT age. 18 years ago, it was too unconventional for the audience. On this, Zayed Khan narrated, “I remember director Leena Yadav wanted me to play my role very unconventionally. I told her, ‘Already the story is unconventional. Let me be a little mass appealing. If my character is toned down, it’ll get into a very niche zone’. She told me, ‘Do it my way first and then do it your way’. She saw both the takes and said, ‘Alright, you can do it your way’!”
When asked if he felt bad that such genuine efforts didn’t get the success they deserved, Zayed Khan replied, “Of course, you feel bad that films don’t work out the way they were supposed to. After all, you have put in so much effort like breaking a bone, suffering a cut, giving long hours etc. And when it doesn’t work, it does hurt. Some actors move on to the next movie. But some actors are not so lucky as they don’t have the next movie! Who is going to cast you the way you want to be cast? A lot of practicality comes in. Some people hit depression as it’s all out for everybody to see. You are tagged, regardless of whether you are a hit or flop actor. Actors need to have such thick skin because everybody has an opinion.”
How did he come out of it? Zayed replied, “I remember somebody told me, ‘You have to move on and laugh at the circumstances. Never let your energy down. If your film is a hit, very good. If your film flops, still don’t have complaints because it has taught you what not to do. Also, if your film flops, dine at the best restaurant in the city, make a bloody good suit from your tailor, hang out with friends and have a great time. Never dampen your spirits’.”
Zayed Khan signed off smilingly, “As Raaj Kumar would say, ‘Picture shayad chali nahin lekin Raaj Kumar chala’! (laughs)”
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