
Zareen Khan opens up about doing erotic thriller Hate Story 3 despite having ‘namazi grandparents' at home, being coerced into performing intimate scenes by Aksar 2 director
In an interview with Hindi Rush, she said that the atmosphere on Hate Story 3 was very warm, and that her co-stars were mindful about her comfort. She said that she took on the role as a challenge, and consulted her mother beforehand. 'I needed the job, and it wasn't like directors and producers were queueing up to work with me. I spoke to a few friends, who told me not to overthink. I spoke to my mother, and she gave me positive feedback. I gathered the courage and did the movie,' Zareen said. She said that while she comes from an 'open' family, her grandparents are 'namazis'.
Also read – Zareen Khan recalls how comparisons to Katrina Kaif impacted her career negatively: 'I was given so many names, was called a failure'
Opening up about her experience on Aksar 2, she said, 'I didn't want to get typecast. I did Hate Story, but I wasn't keen on doing more such films. I will never say anything negative about Hate Story because it was a job that I did, and it opened doors for me. When I went for a narration for Aksar, the director Anant Mahadevan told me clearly, 'We're not making a Hate Story'. I'll always remember these words for the rest of my life, because I was concerned if there were going to be any bold scenes in the film. But when the shoot started, every other scene there was some kiss happening.'
She said that she didn't take the daily surprises too well, and raised her concerns with the director. But he blamed the decisions on the producers. In the end, Zareen felt that she became the villain in the producers' eyes because the director didn't defend her stance. I wasn't invited to the premiere of my own film, that's how bad things became. Negative articles circulated about me, saying that I was difficult to work with.'
Zareen said that she was disillusioned by the experience, and didn't want to be a part of a toxic industry any more. Asked if her co-star stood up for her, she said that he was also not powerful enough to say anything. She also highlighted how different the same situation would've been for a male actor. 'They would be called a stud for doing these films, where I…'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Indian Express
25 years of Joint Security Area: The Korean ‘Veer-Zaara' coded movie that became its saddest reality
Joint Security Area: The Korean Demilitarised Zone, 160 miles long and about 2.5 miles wide, has remained a hot topic not only in parliaments but also in the film industry. One early film took on the subject and pulled off what diplomacy couldn't. Before Park Chan Wook became known for Oldboy, this movie was his breakthrough, shifting public perception on both sides of the border. But the years since have only brought more roadblocks, and today, its themes linger as a sad reminder for a younger generation left to carry the weight. As both India and South Korea celebrate their independence and liberation day on August 15, the only sad truth is how decades-long animosity between neighbors always comes at a personal cost. Some 20 years ago, India's attempt to ease border tension with Veer-Zaara, starring SRK and Preity Zinta, was another reminder of this reality, of the longing for peace that silently exists beneath the noise of political tension. Park Chan Wook's Joint Security Area (2000) broke long-standing taboos by showing North Korean soldiers not as faceless enemies, but as men with the same culture and humour as those across the border. They laughed, cracked jokes, shared chocolate, and even sang along to the same pop tunes, though their lives were far more guarded, buried in fear. Park caught a break with timing as the film landed during the 'Sunshine Policy' years, when North and South Korea were cautiously warming ties. That same year saw their first-ever leaders' summit since the peninsula was split. The two nations had fought the Korean War from 1950 to 1953, ending without a peace treaty and an armistice that still holds today. Also read: North Korea warns of reprisal against South Korea-US drills despite signs of tensions easing For Park, who invested a long time into detailing and creating a realistic set of the border, it was a risky move. Under South Korea's strict National Security Act, 'praising the enemy' could mean prison. Park and his team were ready to face backlash and even prepared themselves for jail time, but the summit that occurred just a few months before the release, when South Korean President Kim Dae Jung met Kim Jong Il, turned the table for JSA. The movie swept awards, became South Korea's biggest hit at the time, and even made its way to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il via DVD. But today, the reality is different. Pyongyang has renounced reunification, cross-border family reunion venues have been taken down, and troops have rearmed on both sides of the Demilitarised Zone. 'It is a sad reality that this movie's themes still resonate with the younger generation,' Park said earlier this year in Seoul during a press conference. 'I hope that by the 50th anniversary, we will be able to discuss it as just a story from the past.' Joint Security Area was hailed as a masterpiece, with all its stars going on to achieve success, including Squid Game actor Lee Byung-hun and Song Kang-ho, who later starred in the Oscar-winning Parasite. But when Park took on the project, after two flops, he decided to gamble on one of the most sensitive topics. Deep down, he feared that portraying inter-Korean bonding could cross the line into what South Korea's law calls 'glorification' of the communist North. The movie tells the story of a sad but unlikely friendship. Two North Korean soldiers help a South Korean soldier who accidentally steps on a landmine. The most famous yet gruesome spot in the DMZ is the Joint Security Area (JSA) at Panmunjom. It's the only place where North and South Korean soldiers stand just a few meters apart, facing each other. Before the Joint Security Area, showing North Korean soldiers as normal people and not some monsters in South Korean movies was almost unheard of. The film changed the perspective, and even though the situation has worsened since, many K-dramas, including Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin's Crash Landing on You, and movies have tried to ease the tension with balanced storytelling, extending an olive branch to the public, if not to the government. In 2019, Kim Jong Il even shook hands with U.S. President Donald Trump across the border. But in 2017, North Korean soldiers shot at one of their own who was trying to defect, and in 2023, both sides brought weapons back into the area after a peace agreement fell apart. Also Read: Netflix to release decade-old K-drama that got its lead actor banned after massive popularity sparked messy court battle In Veer Zaara, one of Bollywood's biggest hits, the love story between Veer Pratap Singh, an Indian Air Force pilot, and Zaara Hayaat Khan, a Pakistani woman, shifted public sentiment too. The film dealt with the personal cost of conflict, Veer's 22 years in a Pakistani prison and Zaara's lifetime of waiting, only to remind us that love can rise above the India-Pakistan divide. It dared to present a story of mutual respect and affection between Indians and Pakistanis. Yet, years later, the two countries still can't see each other beyond the lines drawn by conflict.


India Today
a day ago
- India Today
Saif Ali Khan's finest roles that changed the game
Saif Ali Khan's finest roles that changed the game Aug 16, 2025 Saif Ali Khan is celebrating his 54th birthday today. From intense villains to charming lovers and quirky oddballs, the actor has constantly reinvented himself on screen. Credit: Instagram/Saif Ali Khan FP Here's a look at some of his finest performances that showcase his incredible range. Saif completely broke his chocolate-boy image to play the menacing, conniving Langda Tyagi in Vishal Bhardwaj's Omkara. It's one of his career-best performances and won him several awards. Langda Tyagi – Omkara As a troubled cop unraveling a web of crime and conspiracy, Saif brought intensity and emotional depth to this Netflix series. It marked his successful OTT debut and a new phase in his career. Sartaj Singh – Sacred Games In the period romance, Saif played Shekhar, a man torn between love and pride. His nuanced performance captured the contradictions of a flawed lover. Shekhar - Parineeta This romantic comedy won him a National Award. His character arc from a flirt to a mature partner was both relatable and entertaining. Rohan – Hum Tum (2004) Playing a charming yet sinister man, Saif shocked audiences with this gritty performance. The film helped transition him into darker, more serious roles. Karan Singh Rathod – Ek Hasina Thi India's first zombie comedy! Saif played a Russian mafioso-turned-zombie-hunter with blonde hair and a whacky accent—proving his flair for experimental and offbeat roles. Boris – Go Goa Gone In Imtiaz Ali's take on timeless love stories, Saif pulled off a double act with striking ease. Jai/Veer - Love Aaj Kal Saif's Gautam was flirty, funny, and conflicted, embodying the confusion of modern relationships. His chemistry with Deepika Padukone and Diana Penty drove the film. Gautam - Cocktail Perhaps his boldest experiment, it saw Saif in a neon wig, tripping through a night of chaos and self-discovery. He was quirky, fearless, and unlike anything mainstream. Rileen - Kaalakaandi Happy Birthday, Saif Ali Khan!


Hans India
3 days ago
- Hans India
Zareen Khan calls micro-dramas the future of content
Mumbai: Actress Zareen Khan, who is known for 'Veer', 'Housefull 2', 'Hate Story 3' and others, has spoken up on the concept of micro-dramas, and how they mark a definitive moment in the content industry. After making a memorable mark in Bollywood and carving a niche for herself with a string of notable performances, Zareen Khan is now stepping into a brand-new storytelling space, the world of microdramas. Her latest project, 'Phir Se Restart' marks her foray into this rapidly growing format Sharing her excitement about the format and the story she's exploring for the first time, the actress said, 'Microdramas are such a fresh concept that's taking over the content scene right now. I'm thrilled to be part of this project because it's not just a good story, it's one that resonates'. She further mentioned, 'And the fact that it's available right on people's phones means it has the power to reach the maximum audience directly'. The actress sees microdramas as the future of bite-sized yet impactful entertainment, quick to watch, emotionally engaging, and always accessible. With 'Phir Se Restart', she once again proves she's unafraid to experiment and connect with audiences in new ways. 'Phir Se Restart' is available to stream on Pocket TV. Earlier, the actress took a walk down memory lane as she recalled her fangirl moment with Katrina Kaif. Posting a nostalgic video on social media, the 'Veer' actress revealed that it was from the premiere of 'Race', long before she entered the film industry. She posted a video of herself in which she is seen taking an autograph from Katrina. She wrote in the caption, 'Oh my Goddd ! Came across this video, and the memory is still so fresh. I clearly remember this moment … it's from the premiere of the movie Race. Thanks to a friend who got us passes, we were able to experience the magic firsthand. At that point, I was just a wide-eyed fan, never imagining I'd one day be a part of the film industry".