Pages from the Notebook

Salman Khan launched the trailer of his upcoming production Notebook on Friday. The film marks the debut of Pranutan Bahl, granddaughter of yesteryear actress Nutan, and Zaheer Iqbal, who worked as an assistant director in movie Jai Ho. 

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At the event, Pranutan looked beautiful in a green and mustard yellow floor length Indo-Western ensemble. On the other side, Zaheer wore a white t-shirt, black denim jacket and camouflage pants. 

Set against the backdrop of picturesque locales of Kashmir, Notebook is a story of two strangers who fall in love through messages exchanged in a diary.

While interacting with the media, Salman Khan was quizzed about launching newcomers in the industry, to which he said, “I launch deserving candidates, not anybody.” 

Further talking about Pranutan and Zaheer, Salman said, “Pranutan did a screen test and she was on. She is so good with her lines. Zaheer had to put extra efforts. He was unable to get the right dance steps but he rehearsed for five hours and next day he got it right. He is very hard working.”

Salman also spoke about Pranutan’s dad, Mohnish Bahl and revealed that it was he who suggested Mohnish’s name for playing the negative role in Maine Pyaar Kiya. The actor also remembered Raj Kumar Barjatya who passed away on Thursday and said, “God bless his soul.”

Pranutan said, “I gave a five-hour long audition for this film. They auditioned some 80 to 100 girls but Nitin sir (director Nitin Kakkar) felt I was the right choice.”

Pranutan thanked Salman for giving her this break and said, “He is a big personality with the purest soul. I am an admirer of him.” 

Talking about his passion for acting, Zaheer said, “I wanted to act in a film before I die. I am into construction business and I just wanted to make money fast and produce and act in my own film. Luckily this film fell in my lap. This is the perfect debut for any actor because of the producer, Salman sir, and  director Nitin Kakkar.”