Veena bags international film

Veena bags international film opposite Bally Sagoo
By USMAN GHAFOOR

She debuted most unflatteringly with blink-and-you-miss parts in films like Tere Pyar Mein and Rukhsati. Jawed Sheikh granted her a second-lead in his blockbuster hit, Yeh Dil Aapka Huwa, and this dusky model-turned-actress called Veena Malik had her first real taste of stardom. Today, as Veena gets set to complete her hat-trick, following Ajab Gul's Kiyun Tumse Itna Pyar Hai, with Reema's much-hyped directorial debut, Koi Tum Sa Kahan, she is not willing to look back on her early days of struggle. Up next are two - what she calls - "international projects" that Veena is most excited about.
"I'm doing this film called Doorian which is a British production," she told The Nation Plus in an exclusive meeting.
"For the first time I'm going to be working with Bally Sagoo. We start shooting in September this year. I am really looking forward to it.
"Doorian also has Momi Rana. Besides, the producers want to cast another girl from Pakistan," she continued.
Veena said that she was also a part of Reward and Punishment, a UAE project being filmed in three different languages, "We are making it in Persian, Urdu and Arabic. I recently shot for the film in Dubai."
About the main theme of Reward…, she said, "It's based on the novel, 'The Revenge of Monte Cristo'. It's a beautiful script. I have only about 15 to 16 scenes in the film but I can bet that it's a very rewarding role."
It may be mentioned here that Veena also worked in a Punjabi film across the border. Titled Pind Di Kurri, the film was an overseas success, a fact that makes Veena really glad, even though she regrets that her voice in the film was dubbed over.
"I was in Malaysia, shooting for Reema's film when I got a call from Mr Iqbal Dhillon (the producer of Pind Di Kurri). He wanted me to come over to Mumbai yet again and dub for some chunks. I was quite surprised, because as far as I knew I had dubbed for all my scenes. Anyhow, I told him that I would not be able to make it, since I was required for Reema's film. Later, I learnt that he had got another girl to dub for the entire character of mine. That's about it."
Back home, Veena is due on Javed Raza's Kabhi Pyar Na Karna which also stars Zara Sheikh, Momi Rana and Bollywood actress Neha Dhupia (in a special appearance).
Veena has also been signed on for Shehzad Rafiq's next, titled Mohabbatan Sachiyaan, where she is paired with Momi, again.