Tere Bin Laden (TBL) was Ali Zafar’s first Bollywood outing, followed by a cameo in Bumpy’s Love ka the End where he basically acted as himself. However, the most anticipated and probably his biggest project to date, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (MBKD), released internationally on September 9.

Ali plays an important lead role holding the plot of the film together. He lightens up the screen and has great screen presence. In these dark times, he makes all smile and gives us a reason to be proud of him.

Here, Images on Sunday catches up with the cast of MBKD — Ali Zafar, Katrina Kaif and Imran Khan — to talk about the film, their roles, expectations and a whole lot more.

Ali Zafar “The director had seen me act in TBL. He approached me through Yash Raj Films’ (YRF) casting director Shanu Sharma. When I heard the script which was narrated to me on Skype, I loved it and that’s how I got into this project.

“I play Imran’s elder brother, Luv, a confused casanova. He is supposed to be charming, which I have tried my best to be, but in a humorous way. Luv is a banker in London who is loud, confused and wants to settle down.”

Why not a Pakistani film: “If I am offered a good role, I definitely will.”

Where does music fit in the scheme of things: “Music is my first love. I can never quit it. I have been creating music even while shooting round the clock. I’m the music director of London Paris, New York.”

The kind of audience MBKD will appeal to: “It’s a loud romantic comedy with full Bollywood masala that has all the essential ingredients to appeal to the masses.”

On rumours that rival camps exist in Bollywood: “There is no such rivalry. We all get along really well.”

Overall experience: “I have had the best time shooting MBKD. We all did. I think that will also translate onto the screen. People will leave the theatres with a big grin.”

On working with Imran Khan and Katrina Kaif: “Both of them were fantastic on the sets. They’re helpful, supportive and a lot of fun. Often after the shooting was done we would sit down for dinner, sing songs and have a great time. One of the most memorable moments of my life.”

Working with YRF: “I was humbled with the encouragement and compliments from the industry people, but for me the biggest one was when Yash Chopra gave me his insight on my how I portrayed my character. His words will echo in my heart forever. I am very thankful to Aditya Chopra, the director Ali Abbas and the entire team of YRF.”

On evolving as an actor after TBL: “I can’t say. I’m still learning. TBL demanded a different kind of sensibility than MBKD. I have tried to render both roles differently and keep the character as entertaining as possible.”

On Pakistan’s film industry: “Unless a consolidated 10-15 year uninterrupted plan is devised by our film experts, it’s hard to take it anywhere. One good film in two years can’t revive the industry. Restricting Indian and foreign films could be detrimental as it has shown to be in the past.

“The audiences deserve entertainment and the right to choose between what they want to see as it is done all over the world. Instead of feeling insecure and threatened of Indian films, we should use them to our advantage to bring people to cinemas and create theatres so that investors can see a market big enough to invest in local films. We should think collectively, not individually. We should think rationally, not emotionally.”

The MBKD lead cast in Pakistan: “We were meant to do a premier in Karachi but then, look at the conditions!”

What’s next: “My next film on floors is London, Paris, New York presented by Fox Studios and produced by Rose Films. I star opposite Aditi Rao in the witty love story set in these three cities. We have already shot London and after MBKD, I will be off to Paris and New York to finish the rest.”

What does MBKD offer music-wise: “It’s a very commercial album catering to the masses with different genres subject to the situations in the film.”

Ali Zafar has composed and sung for MBKD. Madhubaala has witty lyrics and funky vocal delivery, this bouncy track is sure to be one of most exciting wedding tracks of the year. “We had a lot of fun while shooting this song. We shot it in four days in the intense heat of June in Mumbai. It is my first proper Bollywood number.”