Happy to portray a mature role in 'Hawaa Hawaai': Saqib Saleem
2 April 2014 6:55 PM IST
The actor said this role was once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him
Bollywood actor Saqib Saleem. Photo: Varinder Chawla
New Delhi: After doing guy-next-door roles in films like 'Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge' and 'Mere Dad Ki Maruti', actor Saqib Saleem is happy to shed his boyish image in his upcoming release 'Hawaa Hawaai'. Saqib, 25, will be seen playing a friendly skating coach in the Amol Gupte directed movie.
The actor said this role was once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him. "I am not a trained actor and I am lucky that I have always worked with those directors who inspired me to perform well. Amole sir is also one of them who helped to bring out the best in me. My character is not a stereotypical coach rather he is a friendly teacher, whom all the kids love," Saqib told PTI.
The actor, whose sister Huma Qureshi is also a budding actress in Bollywood, had to meet real skating coaches to prepare for his role. "My character is a collaboration between my visit to a skating schools in Mumbai and Amole sir's inputs. I needed to get the terminology of coach right, so I met two skating coaches in Mumbai. I spoke to them, understood their psyche and incorporated them in my character," Saqib said.
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In the film, Saqib shares the screen space with Amole's son Partho, who had won national-award for his debut performance in 'Stanley Ka Dabba'. "I was like an elder brother to Partho on the sets. I am
a fan of him, But I feel audience will love him more after watching 'Hawaa Hawaai'. He is one of the best child actor in India and shooting with him was fun. Our small unit was like a family," he said.
'Hawaa Hawaai' is a tribute to people who dare to dream. The film, which is currently in its post-production stage, is expected to hit theatres on May 9. Before starting the shoot, Saqib was little apprehensive about the on-screen chemistry with Partho and other child actors in the film.
"I was worried in the first week before working with these immensely talente kids in the film. I was constantly under the fear that what if the kids don't like me. My character in the film is mature but at the same time friendly. So, to be friends with them I used to go one hour prior to the shoot timing to form a bond with them," he said.
The Delhi boy feels he has evolved as an actor. "I had no Bollywood aspiration. I wanted to be a sportsman but destiny had something different for me. I am happy with the way my career graph in showbiz has shaped up in these years. I am getting different roles but I am not in a race to do films because I believe in quality rather than quantity," Saqib said.
( Source : PTI )
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