Bipasha in Pakistani Film

Bollywood’s sultry belle Bipasha Basu will star in the Pakistani film 'Khulay Asman Kay Nichay' [Beneath the Open Sky] to be directed by Pakistan's Actor-turned-filmmaker, Javed Sheikh.

The cultural exchange between India and Pak is on the rise through the film industries of both countries.

While Pakistani actress Meera is acting in Soni Razdan’s film Nazar, Bollywood’s Bipasha Basu is all set to lead the star cast of Sheikh’s movie.

Sheikh, a steadfast supporter of co-productions between India and Pakistan says that he would be signing Indian actress Bipasha Basu in the second week of December for his upcoming film 'Khulay Asman Kay Nichay', which will be shot in both Karachi and Australia.

Sheikh said that he had finalised the cast of KAKN, adding that besides Bipasha Basu the cast would include Sana, Saleem Sheikh and Humayun Saeed. He said that an Indian actor (to be finalised in December) would be the lead role of the film. Sheikh said that he and one of his Australia-based friends, Akbar Khan, would jointly produce KAKN.

Sheikh said that because of certain reasons he had to drop Indian film diva Kareena Kapoor, his earlier choice for the film. He said that the film would be shot in Karachi and Australia, adding that Yougesh Parathan at the Empire Studio in Mumabi had composed the film’s music. He said that an Indian choreographer would organise the film’s dance sequences.

The budget of the film would be around Rs 8 million, said Sheikh and added that if Ms Basu could not fit the film in her schedule then his second choice would be Priyanka Chopra.

Sheikh said that Babar Kashmiri had written the script of KAKN and Amjad Bobby had composed the music. He said Alka Yagnink, Sonu Nigam, Kumar Sanu, Sadhna Sargam, Udit Naryan, and Sukhwinder had also recorded songs for the film.

Sheikh said that since there were no facilities to compose music of an international standard in Pakistan, one had to go to across the border for quality music. He said that the film’s story revolved around childhood engagements and was based on a true story.

Sheikh said he was going to India in December to complete the shooting of his third Indian film, which was still untitled. He said that Johan Mathew who had earlier directed Sarfrosh starring Aamir Khan and Sonali Bendre was directing the film. He said that he had already completed two Indian films Das and Sitam.

He said that the film would be cinematographed in Pune and Mumbai, adding that he had a character role in the film. He said that the film’s music had cost over Rs 5 million.

Next year he would invite several Indian film stars to Pakistan, including Manisha Koirala, Sunil Shethi, Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgand, Amrita Rao and Shahid Kapoor. He said that all these stars would celebrate Basant with him in Lahore.

Others in the cast include Pakistani artistes Sana, Saleem Sheikh and Humayun Saeed. Babar Kashmiri had written the script while Amjad Bobby had composed the music. Indian singers Alka Yagnink, Sonu Nigam, Kumar Sanu, Sadhna Sargam, Udit Naryan, and Sukhwinder Singh have already recorded songs for the film. Also the film will have an Indian choreographer and will be shot in Karachi and Australia.

Indian playback singers Alka Yagnink, Sonu Nigam, Kumar Sanu, Sadhna Sargam, Udit Narayan and Sukhwinder have lent their voices to the film’s soundtracks.●