Shakira in B-town

Actor-producer Sachin Joshi says the Colombian singer might still be singing for his debut film, Azaan. Deal in final stages.

For Shakira fans, this news promises to be exciting. Although the singer’s date with Bollywood has been going awry for some time now, debutant actor-producer Sachin Joshi insists she might still be crooning for his film, Azaan, soon. “But I think I should comment on it only when the deal comes through. Although other producers have also talked about roping in Shakira for their films, she has always been my first priority since the inception of Azaan. And I am very hopeful about roping her in. The deal should happen,” says Joshi.

HT Image

For the uninitiated, Azaan, a film that marks the debut of gutka baron Jagdish Joshi’s son Sachin, also stars Playboy model Candice Boucher. Last year too, there were talks about Shakira singing a cabaret style song with Latin influences under composer duo Salim-Sulaiman’s guidance. But the deal apparently fell through.

"We are constantly in touch with Shakira’s team and are in the final stages of negotiations with her," says Sachin, who shares screen space with the South African model Candice in the espionage thriller. But Sachin rubbishes talks that Candice will be seen in a sultry avatar. "Director Prashant (Chadha) felt that she fit the part. Candice doesn’t have any acting experience but she’s done a stupendous job. Just because she is a Playboy girl doesn’t mean that we’d ask her to expose without any reason. She looks beautiful in the film," he says defensively.

Excited about his maiden outing as an actor, Sachin says, “It was an awesome experience to work with a foreign crew. After all, we shot the film in seven different countries.” Will good friend Shah Rukh Khan pitch in with tips? Sachin smiles: “He has always been very supportive. I have kept him updated about my film and I hope he likes it in its final form.”