Aftab Shivdasani’s only film as the main lead (not counting Indra Kumar’s Daddy Cool which also has Suniel Shetty) Aloo Chaat with TV actress Amna Sharif is complete.
Even as the suddenly-reclusive Aftab Shivdasani turns producer to create an interesting acting opportunity for himself in a couple of months with a film to be directed by Glen (one -half of the Glen-Ankush duo who directed Aftab in the little-seen sci-fi cloning tale Jaane Kya Hoga with Bipasha Basu), the actor quietly took off for LA to shoot for Sajid Nadiadwala’s much-publicized Kambhakth Ishq. And he plays Akshay Kumar’s chota bhai in the film. Both the actors are cast as stunt-men in Hollywood and have a lot of scenes together where they perform some unbelievable high-flying scenes.
Says a source, “We keep reading about Akshay Kumar’s exploits at LA, how he performed various stunts, how he met Sylvester Stallone, etc. But Aftab has done the same stunts and also shared screen space with Stallone. He sees no reason to tom tom his work. His logic being, ‘When the film is released everyone will know anyway. What’s the point of talking about it.’ In fact, Aftab has withdrawn into a shell ever since he broke up with Yana Gupta. He refused to talk about it even when he was offered front-page coverage by papers. That required guts when your career isn’t going great guns. And when his career didn’t seem to be getting anywhere he quietly decided to produce a film and create an exciting opportunity for himself.”
Aftab admits he isn’t inclined to promote his cause these days. “I’ve been shooting for Kambhakth Ishq in LA. Yeah, I play Akshay Kumar’s sibling. We both play stuntmen. So it kinda runs in the family and it’s a family that kinda runs fast. The role requires considerable physical skill and energy.”
Aftab underwent rigorous training to look and feel fit enough to pull off those daring stunts at Universal studios. “The stunts are dangerous. But everything is so professional here in Hollywood. Safety while doing action scenes is top priority not just for the lead stars but also for the stunt men. Otherwise the experience of working at Universal is no different from the studios back home,” Aftab says in a matter of fact tone.
He enjoyed working with Stallone. But doesn’t think it’s no reason to call up key journalists back home. “I’ve scenes with Sly Stalllone. He was a pleasure to work with,” is all Aftab will say. As for the perception that he has moved to the second lead Aftab chuckles, “I don’t know about that. Everyone is entitled to his or her perception.”
