National award-winning filmmaker Nitin Kakkar’s next, titled Notebook, starring Pranutan Bahl and Zaheer Iqbal is all set to release this Friday (29th March).
Notebook tells the story of an ex-army officer Kabir (Zaheer Iqbal) whot comes back to Kashmir to be a schoolteacher. The school is situated in the middle of the remote Wuller Lake, lacking basic amenities like running water and electricity and attended by just a handful of students. This wasn’t quite what Kabir imagined when he signed up to teach. At the school, one day, Kabir finds a notebook, left behind by the previous year’s teacher Firdaus (Pranutan Bahl) and that changes his entire life. Happy, spirited and heart-warming, Notebook is about two people finding love in the most unexpected way.
Film producer Murad Khetani says, “It is a trendy yet different love story. The basic premise attracted us to the film — can you fall in love with someone you’ve never met? The thought is very novel, but what was more exciting is the manner in which the story progresses”.
Producer Ashwin Varde adds, “We have always seen the usual boy-meets-girl kind of conventional love stories. But what happens when the boy never meets the girl? Can love still happen? Notebook tells you that it can. And it shows you how in the most beautiful manner. That’s the USP of the film”.
The experience of making this movie with Salman Khan will be forever be cherished by both the producers, “Apart from being one of the biggest superstars in the country and a huge brand, Salman has got a deep understanding of scripts. He has been very co-operative as a producer and is open to new ideas.” shared Murad.
Agreeing to Murad, Ashwin added, “The music of the film is doing well and Salman’s contribution has been immense. He has a very keen ear for music and that really helps.”
Newbies Zaheer and Pranutan are also receiving praises from the producers. Talking about Zaheer’s debut, Ashwin excerpts, “Zaheer was the first person to be cast because Salman bhai was going to launch him. After that, Murad bhai and I met him and decided that we would make a film with him. We had been looking for the right script for him. He always had the potential, the talent and the persona that’s needed for the big screen.”
After auditioning 100’s of faces, the makers found Pranutan. Murad recalled, “Firdaus (Pranutan’s character) has several layers. We were just not getting anyone right for it. Then one day, we saw Pranutan’s pictures. We showed them to Salman bhai. He called up Mohnish Bahl (Pranutan’s father) and she was called to audition. She was so good that we didn’t need to look any further.”
Salman Khan Films presents Notebook, a Cine1 Studios production. The film, produced by Salma Khan, Murad Khetani and Ashwin Varde, releases on March 29.
ICYMI here is the trailer again!
