Om Puri to Play Zia-ul-Haq
Om Puri will soon share celluloid space with Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts in the upcoming film Charlie Wilson’s War, where he will play the character of General Zia-ul Haq, late President of Pakistan. The film is being produced by Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, and directed by Mike Nichols and is expected to hit the screens in 2008
Charlie Wilson’s War is a political film set during the period when the USSR invaded Afghanistan, and America wanted to use Pakistan to get rid of the Soviets
Om Puri has been reported to be in LA for two weeks on pre-production work and is doing a full background research on the Character of Zia-ul-Haq. “I remembered Zia having a gold tooth and have confirmed it with Shatrughan Sinha and his wife Poonam, who were close to the General. I also found out that the chain he wore on his sherwani had a decorative pocket watch.” said Om Puri.
Its just ironical that an Indian be chosen to play Zia’s character, personally I don’t see much in this story, after all its just a movie. But I dread the public reaction which may turn into a vociferous crucifiction as we tend to be considerably emotional against India.
What’s your take on the issue?
Credit for the tip-off Adnan Siddiqui
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Though I rarely watch Indian flicks, only some art movies they chrun out, Om Puri however, is one fine actor. For some strange reason I thought this guy was dead. Evidently not.
old news. :) they just noticed his casting recently. they were going for some other actor intially.
I am pretty surprised that Julia Roberts is getting all politcal! I read she is supporting raising taxes on oil. That’s gotta be a pretty unpopular opinion these days.