REVEALED: Mom’s shoot shifted from Kashmir to Georgia due to Pakistani actors Adnan Siddiqui and Sajal Ali

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

July 24, 2017 - 6:34 PM IST

Mom had several powerful performances by Sridevi, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sajal Ali, Akshaye Khanna and Abhimanyu Singh. Yet, Pakistani actor Adnan Siddiqui managed to leave a strong mark, and that too with a limited screen time. The actor obviously is happy with the response that has come his way. Unfortunately, he couldn’t be present in India for the release and promotions thanks to a diktat passed last year that barred the entry of Pakistani actors to India. This decision was taken by Bollywood fraternity after the September 2016 Uri attacks in which 18 Indian soldiers were killed.

REVEALED: Mom’s shoot shifted from Kashmir to Georgia due to Pakistani actors Adnan Siddiqui and Sajal Ali

The shoot of Mom was not over when the attacks took place. Adnan revealed that despite the tension, he and Sajal Ali, who is also from Pakistan, managed to procure visas. He gave credit for this feat to producer Boney Kapoor, whom he called ‘well connected’. However, to play safe and avoid an untoward situation, Boney Kapoor shifted the shooting location to Bangkok.

This was not the only price paid by Boney Kapoor for hiring Pakistani actors. Before the Uri attack, the climax of Mom was scheduled to be shot in the beautiful snow ranges of Kashmir. But again, taking two Pakistani actors to Kashmir, where tension had escalated since last year, was impossible. Therefore, the finale of Mom was shot in the European country of Georgia.

Adnan Siddiqui said that he respects Boney Kapoor for not minding these changes. Adnan opened up that he often told Boney that due to him and Sajal Ali, the film’s budget has gone up. But he would comfort Adnan by saying that they are professionals and they shouldn’t think that way.

Boney Kapoor is also known as a large-hearted producer and Adnan got to see that first hand. When there was a gap of ten days between two shooting spells of Mom, Boney arranged trips for Adnan. He sent them to Agra and Jaipur at his own expense, taking care of the stay, food and travel. Adnan also admitted that he arranged a special cook for him, named Afzal, to ensure that he got halal meat.

Adnan Siddiqui is a successful TV actor in Pakistan and has worked in several shows like Maat, Mere Qatil Mere Dildar and Doraha. He also got a chance to work in a Hollywood film, A Mighty Heart, which co-starred Angelina Jolie. Incidentally, his debut in Pakistani film also happened this year with Yalghaar. That film released on Eid and did record business at the Pakistani box office.