Who is Salman Khan’s latest star launch, Zaheer Iqbal? Find details, pics here

The question everyone has been asking since Wednesday is, “Who is the new talent Salman Khan is launching?” The question comes with a corollary, “Whose son is he?” The speculation began after Salman tweeted that he would launch a new talent on Thursday and shared a throwback photo in which the would-be actor was a child.

Salman was as good as his word and tweeted on Thursday, “How these kids grow up so soon... ALWAYS keep giving your best #ZAHERO no matter what. Stand tall and always bend backwards for those u love and those who love u, Yeh yaad rakhna that the most important thing in life is Respect and Loyalty. @iamzahero.” He also shared photos of the youngster.

Now, that you know who the talent is, here’s answering the second part: who is he? Zaheer is not related to anyone in the film industry but his father and Salman have known each other for a long time. Speaking about the actor to-be, Salman said in a press statement, “Zaheer is made for the movies. He is a fantastic actor and a born star.”

Salman also shared a picture of his childhood friend who is Zaheer’s father. The actor wrote that he still owes him money and launching Zaheer is a payback of sorts. “N this is my childhood frnd Iqbal, as a teen he was my bank, I still owe him 2011rs . thnk God he did not take interest bete ko launch Kar raha hoon toh baap ka post toh karsakta hoon na. Lv the pic,” he wrote.

Salman had earlier tweeted a picture and written, “Being Launched Tomorrow ... KAL dekhte hai yeh ladka AAJ kaise dikhta hai...”

Salman has been personally supervising Zaheer’s training for the last few months. In fact, he’s even named him ‘Zahero’. Salman first saw Zaheer and spotted his talent at his sister’s wedding function during a stage performance. The Dabangg star was mighty impressed with his act and decided right there that he would launch Zaheer in movies.

Salman is producing a yet untitled film under his banner, Salman Khan Films, that will launch Zaheer. The film will go on floors in September this year and is being directed by Nitin Kakkar of Filmistaan fame.It will be a love story set in Kashmir. The leading lady opposite Zaheeer will also be a new face and will be finalised in the next few days.

The film’s producers are tremendously confident of the young actor. “Zaheer has an incredible presence in front of the camera,” promises Murad Khetani. “Zaheer’s greatest asset is his honesty towards the craft,” adds Ashwin Varde.

The film’s director Nitin Kakkar added, “Zaheer’s level of commitment towards his work is great. He will go a very long way.”

Zaheer is not the first one to be introduced or mentored by Salman. He joins a long list of stars and star kids including Hrithik Roshan, Sooraj Pancholi, Arjun Kapoor, Pulkit Samrat and Katrina Kaif, among several others, whom Salman has mentored. However, refusing to be acknowledged as a godfather to many Bollywood star, Salman had said, “Somebody gave me a break so I am doing the same. It’s also because my upbringing has been very correct. There’s no insecurity or jealousy. I like people to be successful and have a great future ahead. If you are doing well, your family is doing well. Every day that I don’t work I feel guilty.”

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