Tigmanshu Dhulia turns singer...plays Shammi Kapoor in Hero

The casting of Nikhil Advani’s remake of Subhash Ghai’s 1983 blockbuster Hero just got far more interesting and engaging. Filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia has been cast in the role of debutante Aathiya Shetty’s father. In the original Ghai film, Shammi Kapoor played Mennakshi Sheshadri’s father. Apparently Dhulia was selected for the part since director Nikhil Advani wanted an actor who could capture the original’s ebullience and zest for life. Says Dhulia, “I don’t know what made Nikhil choose me. But it’s an honour and a challenge to play a role originally done by Shammi Saab. I am his hugest fan...Well, I don’t know about ‘hugest’ because in terms of girth there may be some others who can match up to Shammi Saab.” Dhulia admits Aathiya’s father’s role has been amplified and fleshed out in the remake. “I play a far more proactive role than Shammi Saab did in the original. I have some surprises up my sleeve,” promises Dhulia. Turns out Dhulia will also be turning singer in Hero. Apparently there is a wedding sequence in the film where Tigmanshu’s character will sing in his own voice. Says Dhulia, “Well, I love to sing in real life. I also play the guitar. So why not sing for myself on screen if the occasion presents itself?” So another filmmaker-turned-actor-turned-singer like Farhan Akhtar? Tigmanshu protests, “Please! Farhan is so much more handsome and younger. Usske six-packs hain aur mera family-pack hai. I am working in a film called Hero. But Farhan is hero material.” Tigmanshu is all praise for the debutants Sooraj Pancholi and Aathiya Shetty in Hero. “They are the superstars of tomorrow. They are very camera-friendly and so confident. I did a very dramatic scene with Sooraj. He was totally into it.”