Breaking free from his father's shadow, making his mark in Sandalwood

Zaid Khan has stepped into Sandalwood with the baggage of being the son of a popular politician, B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan and also of being a Muslim.

Accepting the challenges and realities that they bring, the new face in tinsel town has got down to business with three new films after his debut with 'Banaras'.

He speaks to S Shyam Prasad from News Trail about his experience, his plans and the new projects he is embarking on.

Q: Before Banaras, did filmmakers approach you only because you were Zameer Ahmed Khan’s son? Everyone was under the impression that your father would be funding your film dreams.

 A: It is the case to some extent even now. I guess it would never go away. He is a popular personality and I can never come out of his shadow. It is definitely going to affect my film career. Mention Zaid Khan and it will not be my performance, potential or talent that will become the criteria. Most people who approach me with plans of making a film with me are under the impression that my father will fund them and they can make money. I have been cheated far more than any newcomer. After the first film, I have learnt a bit about how to manage such people.

Q: How were you cheated?

A: I was cheated in matters of money. If a thing costs Rs.10, I was asked to pay Rs.100. I did not know the ABCD of film making and ended up paying far more than what things were worth. I am realizing that mistake now. I am not against paying well, but I do not want to become a scapegoat. I have had a very bad experience. I decided to make my career in films seven years ago. In these seven years, I have had to face quite a few people who just vanished after taking money. The money I have lost in this manner is quite a lot. I managed to endure it because of my background. But imagine other newcomers who have been cheated in this manner. I really feel sad for them.

Q: Keeping aside its box office result, are you satisfied with the outcome of Banaras?

A: The film I imagined when I Okayed the script narrated by director Jayateertha and the end result is very different. My producer has spent a lot. I have ignored some things. We sorted out some disputes. I am not 100 percent satisfied with the outcome of the film. I would say we reached 45% of what I had imagined it would be when we started.

Q: Any film for that matter does not turn out to be 100 percent as planned.

A: I am not saying my film flopped. I would openly accept it if it were to become a flop. It was an average film. But this was not what I had envisioned. If Banaras was made as per plan and then failed I would have been devastated. The budget spent on it does not justify the end result is what I mean.

Q: How would you have done Banaras differently if you had this experience beforehand?

A: I would not have been too polite. It became my weakness. My father did not support this film. He was not interested in a film career for me. He left it to me. Producer Thilak Raj stepped in and he rested his hopes on me and spent a lot on this project. I was very worried about it and spent every minute of the last few years working on the film. I would have done my best to save money for the producer. If the film had succeeded it would have had a thousand fathers. Till date, director Jayatheertha has not even called me.

Q: There has been no official announcement about your next venture after all these days. What is happening?

A: I have finalized three directors. The script for my third and fourth films is ready. The script work on my second film is still underway. That is my fate.

Q: Why are you taking so long?

A: Things panned out quite slowly. I rejected another project at the last moment. I had finalized the story and it was given to the writer for improvisation. After 25 days, he came back with hardly any changes and refused to make any more improvements. The director said he would bring a dozen writers from everywhere and I should be part of the process. I refused. In my first film I wanted to learn and so was part of the scripting process. It is the director who has to decide how my character should be and what story he wants to direct. I cannot be doing everything. So that venture was dropped after seven months of work. We don’t have ready-made scripts like in Tamil and Telugu. My next film can release only in January-February next year. There won’t be any film this year.

Q: Who are the directors of the three films you have finalized?

A: Let me not reveal the n