Salman won’t call himself Sher Khan in Sohail’s film

By Subhash K. Jha -

December 1, 2012 - 11:41 AM IST

Contrary to reports that Salman Khan has changed plans for his Eid 2013 release and is now looking at remaking a South Indian film to be completed in time for Eid it has now come to light that Sher Khan is still on...But with a different title.

Says a source close to the project. "For reasons best known to Salman he has decided to change his character's name. He won't be called 'Sher Khan' in the film. Otherwise Sohail is still directing the same script."

One strong theory offered by someone close to the film on why Salman wants his name changed in Sher Khan is that 'Sher' is seen to be a jinxed title after the way the Sanjay Dutt-Vivek Oberoi starrer Sher recently got stalled

Says a source, "It shows no sign of being revived. No film with the word Sher has ever worked. You check the past record of films with the title Sher. Not one of them has worked. Besides, Salman didn't want to play the typical traditional Pathan."

Apparently Salman heard Sanjay Dutt was playing the typical Pathani 'Sher Khan' in Apoorva Lakhia's Zanjeer and opted out of using the name and get-up.

"Salman has always looked up to Sanjay Dutt. He didn't want to get into the same space where the two would be compared.", says a source close to the film.

Apparently the character is now being modernized. But the script remains the same.

Confirming this director Sohail Khan says, "Only the title Sher Khan is changing. Otherwise we are starting the same film in January 2013 as per plans."

Sohail vetoes rumours that Salman will star in a remake of the Telugu hit Brindavanam.

Says Sohail, "That subject requires a much younger lead. I'll probably produce that film next year."