Bollywood and Salman Khan’s epic film Veer is scheduled to be released today. Everything PR News has exclusive interviews with members of the cast and crew which reveal a lot about this fascinating venture in film making. Veer is an epic journey not only as a motion picture, but as a catalyst for careers. From Salman Khan to Veer’s UK Production Manager Naila Mughal, human epic and life’s balance is not constrained to the silver screen. Veer, as a work of industry art, is an expression not only of Salman Khan’s childhood dream, but those of so many of its cast.
In this, the first of a series of interviews with cast and crew, we reveal an interesting aspect not many endeavor to uncover from within movie productions, the real human side of artists and production wizards. We talked with UK Production Manager Naila Mughal, and one fascinating artist from Veer, one Purru Raaj Kumarr, whom we think will emerge as a breakout star in his own right. Let’s get to the Q & A so you can get to know these extraordinary people.
Q & A
Naila Mughal has probably been awake for three days now. In the last 36 hours we have traded no less than 25 emails in setting up these interviews for Veer. Consider please, her effort on our behalf is but one of hundreds probably. I posed some questions to her about her career, what Veer means to her dream, and some candid revelations about the cast.
Phil – Vijay Galani evidently propelled you into this vital role for Veer. It is cliche to ask, but is being the UK Production Manager of Veer the highlight of your professional career so far?
Naila - Veer is the highlight of my career, one of the biggest Bollywood films I have worked on. I am very proud to be the UK Production Manager for Veer, and can only thank Vijay Galani for giving me such a great opportunity. I am also Cineyug Uk Manager, and Vijay is a friend of Moranis and attended some of the shows, impressed with my work, he asked me if I would join him on this great venture as Veer UK Production Manager. I was also responsible for castings in UK, and had to organise many supporting artists. My role has been very challenging, but now I feel I can take on any film project with great confidence.
Phil – Salman Khan is noted for being a superb human being, and I asked basically all the rest of the UK cast about Veer being a breakthrough opportunity for several which appears to be largely due to Salman. Is this a fair statement?
Naila – It is a fair statement, as a superstar can impact a film greatly. The UK cast will obviously get huge recognition as they have worked with Salman, and on such a big film, which has a massive promotional engine behind it. We alll know that Salman Khan’s fan base is phenomenal, and Veer being his most talked about film, so the breakthrough opportunities are immense.
Phil – Sometimes Bollywood films lack a certain “serious dimension”, which may play a small part in why some are not more successful internationally. With Veer, and a few others Eros in particular has premiered lately, it appears Bollywood is “upping the game” so to speak. Could you elaborate a little bit about this perception?
Naila – Some films do lack a certain serious dimension and then can turn into a flop even though alot of effort has been put into them, we have seen this. But, one thing I must say about Veer is that Vijay Galani looked into every aspect of the film intensely, and he made sure he put together possible – a crucial element. His attention to detail; from locations, costumes, art direction, choregraphers, and all other aspects…. which you will see for yourself when you watch Veer.
Phil – Managing production on an epic like Veer is a monumental task most people do not identify with. The costumes, the casting, the press, and on and on. What is the single best trait you came to the film with which helped you do your best work, possibly ever? (I say this because your enthusiasm is transparent).
Naila – I stayed very focused and organized, and I started pre-production early. Organizing everything from Vintage cars to horses & carriages, and so many other areas would be impossible without this focus and organization. I also had to do castings for many supporting artistes. These huge responsibilities weigh heavily if one thinks about all who are dependent. Passion, enthusiasm, motivation, and being self driven, these are the characteristics which guarantee performance. Feedback on my work from Salman Khan, Vijay Galani and Anil Sharma has helped me to be an even more effective manager.
Phil – I have asked any number of the other cast and crew who they think, for them, is the most attractive member of the team? In an ensemble of movie stars, this seems appropriate I think.
Naila – Salman Khan is very handsome, I have known Salman for many years now and he has maintained himself well, his brother Sohail Khan is cute, and Zarine is very pretty, she had to put on weight for the film, but she looks extraordinary.
Naila on the set of Veer
Insights and Next
Our thanks go out to Naila for all her hard put efforts toward us, and for the film many think will catapult Bollywood into a new era of filmmaking. In this the first of several inside glances into Veer, one of the key people tasked with the making of art, it is easy to tell what a courteous and talented ensemble of professionals Salman Khan, Vijay Galani, and the other creators of Veer have assembled.
Next, we talk with an extraordinary talent, and persona much of the world is not familiar with – yet that is. Purru Raaj Kumarr pictured left in a scene from the film.
There is much more to come in telling the behind the scenes stories of Veer’s talented and passionate team. Due to the length of some of these interviews and news, Everything PR News can only do justice to the people, the film, and you the reader by presenting these stories in a series. Eros International and the producers of Veer have been inordinately kind in revealing these candid interviews. We thank you.
About Phil Butler
