Imtiaz Ali recalls casting Asif Basra in ‘Jab We Met’; says, “I wanted him to be threatening and funny at the same time”

The entertainment industry received yet another shock when news of actor Asif Basra’s death surfaced. The 53-year-old actor was found hanging in a private complex in Dharamshala. While suicide is suspected, investigation of the actor’s death has been started by the Himachal Pradesh police.

Asif played small yet very significant roles in several films and one of them is Imtiaz Ali’s all-time hit ‘Jab We Met’. Asif played a station vendor in this Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor starrer. Imtiaz is heartbroken by Asif tragic death. The filmmaker recalled how he wanted to cast a special actor in that small yet memorable role.

Speaking about Asif’s death, Imtiaz told IANS, “For me, Asif is a special part of a special film. He was a fantastic actor. The news of his demise is very shocking and disturbing. He was a fine actor and very easy to work with. It (his death) is indeed a loss.”

Further sharing how he thought Asif would be perfect for that role, Imtiaz said, “I remember while making ‘Jab We Met’, I wanted an intelligent actor who could convey what I was trying to say and present. I wanted to show two qualities lechery and humour at the same time through that role. I wanted him to be threatening and funny at the same time. So, for the role, I wanted a special actor who had the mind and the skill to perform.”

 

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Mourning Asif’s tragic death, Imtiaz said, “I have known Asif through theatre in Mumbai. It is what had led me to him many years ago. We didn’t work together after Jab We Met. I couldn’t get around to work with him but I have seen his other films. He was an engaging actor. I will miss him in the movies.”

 

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It is being reported that Asif was depressed and apparently that led to his death.

Also Read: Asif Basra Passes Away: Hansal Mehta, Manoj Bajpayee and Swara Bhasker mourn his demise

Pooja Sharma

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