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Some guys have all the luck

Bollywood heartthrob Zayed Khan, who was in Pondy recently, talks about his fans, films and father to DEEPA H RAMAKRISHNAN

PHOTO: T. SINAGARAVELOU

ROMANCING THE CAMERA Actors Zayed Khan and Bipasha Basu during an ad shoot

Time was running out, there were five more shots to go and a plane to catch to Mumbai, yet Bollywood heartthrob Zayed Khan had his smile in place for the shutterbugs. The brand ambassador of Pantaloons and the endearing Lucky of "Main Hoon Naa" says, "I am a lucky guy and many still call me by my name in that film."

Zayed, who was in Pondicherry recently to shoot for Pantaloons Fresh Fashion advertisement along with the brand's other ambassador Bipasha Basu says, "I have come a full circle now. Pantaloons had produced my film `Chura Liya Hai Tumne' (with Esha Deol) and now I am their brand ambassador. I am happy to be representing this brand because people associate a certain kind of personality and a certain kind of lifestyle with it. It is a brand for the youth and I am considered as an icon by my young fans."

Talking about his fan following, particularly female, he says with his characteristic dimpled smile, "It is important that I can break a few hearts now and then. It's one of the things that keeps me going (ha, ha, ha... ). These days, not just kids and girls, even men come up to me to compliment my work. That's the kind of feedback that I want." Zayed has done films such as Dus, Shaadi No. 1, Vaada and Shabd.

The moment people in this small town came to know about Zayed's arrival, a huge crowd gathered at the location of the ad shoot. Most young girls appeared extremely thrilled to see their hero but were disappointed to know that he was married (to his childhood sweetheart). Zayed is presently working on two films "Cash", an action flick being shot in Cape Town and "Speed", a romantic thriller with Tanushree Dutta, which is expected to be released by the end of the year. The much-awaited "Rocky" is slated to be released by September 15.

Serious about his work, Zayed is keen to take on more films and ads. "I would like to work with the best so that I can better myself. I think acting is all about synergy and working with talented people. There was time when I wanted to work with Aishwarya Rai and I did. It was such a pleasure working with her. I had witnessed her being crowned a beauty queen when I was in college."

Having modelled for brands such as Mirinda and LG DVD Movie Station, he says that though ads and films are two different things, they go hand in hand. "One is for your heart and the other is for your stomach. I am quite happy to be associated with big brands and working with interesting people."

On being his father's son (he is yesteryear actor Sanjay Khan's son and Hrithik Roshan's brother-in-law), Zayed says that even if he were to be known as Sanjay Khan's son for another 100 years, he would still be proud. "My father is an extraordinary man and a great fighter."

Having done his business administration from Montgomery College and then studied at the London Film School in Cotton Garden, Zayed chose to face the camera. Asked why he didn't continue with business administration, he says, "To be honest, I was always interested in the birds and bees outside. I wasn't the kind who would be stuck behind a desk. So I was naturally driven to this profession and when the opportunity came, I took the plunge."

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