Zareen Khan Opens Up About 'Aksar 2' Filming Disputes and Industry Backlash
Bollywood actor Zareen Khan, who debuted opposite Salman Khan in the 2010 period drama 'Veer', has recently shed light on a contentious chapter in her career involving the 2017 thriller 'Aksar 2'. In a candid conversation on the Mammoth Media Asia podcast with Pooja Bhatt, Khan revisited the project, which she claims was marred by misrepresentation and professional discord.
From Debut to Bold Roles: Zareen's Career Trajectory
Early in her career, Zareen Khan was often compared to Katrina Kaif due to their similar appearances. She later gained recognition through commercially successful films like 'Housefull 2' and 'Hate Story 3'. However, her role in 'Hate Story 3' led to harsh judgment from industry insiders. “After I did 'Hate Story', a lot of people looked down on me, especially from the industry. They would say, ‘Because she cannot act, she decided to strip,’” she revealed during the podcast.
The 'Aksar 2' Project: Promises vs. Reality
Zareen Khan was approached for 'Aksar 2', a sequel to the 2006 thriller 'Aksar', directed by Anant Mahadevan. According to Khan, Mahadevan initially pitched the film as a stylish noir, assuring her it would not focus on bold scenes like those in 'Hate Story 3'. “He narrated the script in very polished English and said, ‘We are not making a Hate Story. We are making a genre noir,’ or something along those lines. I thought, okay,” she recounted.
However, once filming began, Khan alleges the reality was starkly different. “But once I reached the set, every other scene ended with a kiss or suddenly required me to be in a bra or something similar.” She clarified that she had no inherent objection to intimate scenes but felt misled from the outset. “I told him, ‘I don’t have a problem doing such scenes, but you gave me a completely different brief. Now, just because you saw that film work, you want to add these things.’”
Escalating Conflicts and Allegations of Spineless Direction
Zareen Khan described the director as “spineless,” claiming he gave conflicting versions of the story to producers and her team. “He would tell one version of the story to the producers and another to me and my costume designer Shahid Aamir.” Disagreements intensified as producers allegedly pushed for more provocative scenes, capitalizing on her previous role. “There was so much animosity. The producers suddenly wanted me to do a bra scene, kiss, or something provocative in almost every sequence just because I had done one such film earlier. That’s not fair,” she asserted.
Despite mounting tensions, Khan decided to complete the film to avoid financial losses for the producers. “I am not someone who throws tantrums. I know people’s money is at stake, so I always try to talk things out and find a middle ground.” However, the situation deteriorated to the point where she was excluded from the film's premiere. “But by the time the film was finished, things had become so bad that I wasn’t even invited to the screening of my own film.”
Media Portrayal and Director's Defense
Zareen Khan also addressed media reports that painted her as difficult to work with. “There were articles saying I was difficult to work with. I still have messages from the director where he complains about the producers to me—but what’s done is done.” She claimed the conflict eventually divided the entire team, with disputes extending to payments between Mahadevan and the producers.
In response, Anant Mahadevan previously dismissed these allegations in an interview with DNA India. He defended his preparation and the film's intimate scenes, stating, “Nobody is more prepared than me in the industry. People come to me for low-budget films with clarity and planning. I found it amusing to read allegations of confusion, extra shots, etc.” Regarding the bold content, he argued, “Zareen may not have been used to that kind of filming. As for the smooches, I have repeatedly said that a few kisses do not make a film erotic. These days every other film has smooches, even a Karan Johar movie has them. There was nothing vulgar in my film.”
Reflections on a Troubled Production
Zareen Khan's account highlights broader issues of misrepresentation and gender bias in Bollywood. Her experience with 'Aksar 2' underscores the challenges actors face when projects deviate from initial promises, leading to professional and personal fallout. As she moves forward, this revelation adds to ongoing conversations about transparency and respect in the film industry.
