Young actor Zaid Khan is carving out his own unique path in the film industry. He is receiving numerous offers, particularly from Malayalam cinema, but remains selective about his projects.
Rejecting a Big Opportunity
During a promotional interview for his upcoming film 'Cult', Zaid Khan shared a surprising revelation. He recently received an offer to act alongside popular star Dulquer Salmaan. However, Zaid chose to say no to this promising opportunity.
Why Zaid Said No
Zaid Khan explained his decision with clarity about his career vision. He told the film's makers he would only accept the role under one specific condition. The project must be produced as a Kannada film first, with dubbing into other languages coming later.
"I made it clear to them that I would only do it if it is made in Kannada and then dubbed in other languages," Zaid stated firmly.
The production team did not agree to his condition. They explained their position clearly to the actor.
"They said that it would not be possible because if it is made as a Kannada film they will not be able to sell rights which also includes OTT," Zaid revealed.
He believes this problem stems from the current realities facing the Kannada film industry. Market dynamics and distribution challenges create these limitations for regional cinema.
Another Missed Chance with Yash
This is not the first time Zaid Khan has encountered such situations. Director Anil Kumar recently shared an interesting anecdote about the actor. Zaid had previously expressed interest in being part of the popular Yash-starrer 'My Name is Kirataka'.
Anil Kumar explained why this did not happen. "Zaid wanted to know if I would be willing to do My Name is Kirataka with him," the director recalled. However, he had to refuse because the role was written specifically for Yash from the beginning.
The director did promise Zaid a new script instead. This promise eventually materialized as 'Cult', which Anil Kumar wrote with Zaid Khan specifically in mind.
Creating 'Cult' for Zaid
Anil Kumar shared his approach to working with emerging talent like Zaid Khan. "When working with a relative newbie, there are two chains of thought," he explained.
He designed the 'Cult' script carefully to highlight Zaid's strengths. "I wrote the script of Cult keeping that in mind, with the focus firmly on all that Zaid has to bring to the table," the director added.
About 'Cult'
'Cult' is an upcoming romantic drama directed by Anil Kumar. The film features Zaid Khan in the lead role alongside actresses Malaika Vasupal and Rachita Ram. This Kannada production is scheduled for theatrical release on January 23.
Zaid Khan continues to navigate his career with clear principles. He prioritizes projects that align with his vision for regional cinema representation. His selective approach demonstrates a thoughtful strategy in an industry filled with opportunities.
