New Kid on the Block: Zarine Khan

Zarine was your average dorky teenager studying in Rizvi College, who went on to assist Katrina Kaif, only to bag the role of Princess Yashodhara in the Salman Khan-starrerVeer, and that too in a matter of 3 hours. Salman zeroed in on Zarine for the role, which was earlier offered to ex-flame Katrina Kaif. Katrina refused the role, and was surprised to know that Zarine had bagged it thereafter. Zarine Khan had also played body double of Katrina Kaif in Subhash Ghai’sYuvvraaj. Salman, however, rubbished rumours that Zarine had been offered the role because she looked like Katrina, considering Salman’s fixation on zeroing down newcomers who resemble his ex-flames.

Salman Khan not only had the final say in selecting Zarine Khan opposite him for the flick, but also wrote the script of the film after getting inspired from Hollywood’s classic flick Taras Bulba. It was around twenty years back, when he was shooting for his flick Baaghi, that the macho Khan had completed the script of Veer.

Zarine was instructed to pile on weight for Veer. Zarine was put on a chocolate diet for months to give her a more full-bodied look to appear like a woman from the past. Zarine plays Princess Yashodhara in the movie, while Salman Khan plays a warrior prince, Veer. Zarine, who weighed 54 kilos before the shoot, was asked to make sure she ate cakes and pastries to appear more curvaceous. Zarine piled on eight kilos in just three months, as Salman personally took care of her diet. Her costumes in the movie were also designed in a way that enhanced her size.

About Veer:

Veer dictates the story of extreme valor, stern pride and heartrending love. The British at that time had incarcerated India with their deceitful 'Divide and Rule' policy. Kings and nawabs fell to their guile and cunning, and entrusted their prized kingdom to the foreigners. However, the Pindaris were a brave clan, who preferred death to dishonor and would battle to their last breath to save their land. The bravest, the toughest, the strongest of the Pindaris is Veer. As Veer takes on the might of the British Empire, he also has to fight the conniving King of Madavgarh as well his own jealous tribesmen. But then, the stakes are high. At stake is his love for Princess Yashodhara, daughter of his sworn enemy, and his thirst to avenge his father's dishonor.

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