Salman's confidence in BODYGUARD eases makers

He has worked on the same subject with diverse set of actors while calling shots for Malayalam, Tamil and the Telugu version of BODYGUARD. However when it came to making the film in Hindi with Salman Khan, it was an entirely different experience for Siddique, a veteran writer-director down South who is now making a belated debut in Bollywood. In such circumstances, one can well expect the Hindi version of BODYGUARD with Kareena Kapoor in lead to be the toughest movie making experience in his career so far.

Says Siddique with a smile, "Well, I won't say that it was the toughest experience ever but then it was quite wonderful for sure. To make a Hindi movie with a huge superstar is a thrill by itself. As a subject though I was quite comfortable since I am very thorough with it after being attached to it for five years now. With such a strong storyline, it was just a matter to including a few ingredients that gave the film a universal appeal."

What worked in favour of Siddique though was Salman's confidence in the film, something that ensured the actor's complete commitment to the film.

"It was Salman who had seen the original BODYGUARD and wanted it to be remade in Hindi,' says Siddique, "Also he wanted no one else but me to direct it again. So though on one side I was happy to pick it up all over again, on the other I was burdened with such huge expectations. Moreover BODYGUARD as a title itself is so powerful that audience expects a lot of action. Since at the core of it by story is emotional with humour in it as well, I had to balance it out all."

Also starring Mahesh Manjrekar, Raj Babbar and Hazel Keech in important roles with Katrina Kaif in a specially designed item number, BODYGUARD releases all over on 31st August.