BODYGUARD PROMOTION [NEW UPDATES Check Page 1] - Page 30

"The final countdown has begun and pressure is only natural, but it is for the best", says producerAtul Agnihotri. "Just imagine making a movie with no audience anticipation. It would be a horrible situation," he says, as he's all set for the big day.

The buzz is good, the timing is good, promotions are being appreciated and the songs are chartbusters. I couldn't have asked for more. We have to live up to the expectations now. This is show business; there is no other way. But I feel the pressure more for Salman... it is a wonderful phase of his career."

So what prompted Atul to make this film? "The only reason I am producing this film is because of the beautiful subject. I met the director who didn't want to part with the rights of the film. Siddique wanted to direct it as his debut film in Bollywood. And I found an actor who loved the subject. Like other producers, I too had to make several phone calls while casting. There are only five saleable actors for an A-grade project. And Salman has the right to make a decision."

The production value of the film is excellent. "We moved heaven and earth in hunting locations that has never been used before. If we couldn't find any, we would put up sets. I didn't care about the budget, for me getting it right was more important. If money comes, great, but if success comes then it gives you another shot at making money. We were on a tight schedule. With Salman in the film, it was an advantage having Alvira (Salman's sister and the co-producer) on the sets, we could divide roles."

What Kareena and Salman will bring to screen as actors will complement their casting, avers the producer. "Once we do that we will break the taboo (of their pairing being jinxed). Somebody pointed out superstition in the industry, in that sense superstition is third-time lucky," he signs off.

After almost six years apart, Himesh Reshammiyareturned to his mentor Salman Khan to compose music for Bodyguard. He denies there being any rift between the superstar and and him.

"It is just that I had got busy composing for the films that I was acting in. But I was always there for Salman," he says. The duo has worked on 11 films together with 2005's Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya being the last. When Himesh was offered Bodyguard, he obviously wanted to live up to the expectations. The creative inputs kept flowing from the star so often, that Himesh has decided to dedicate the film's music to Salman.

"The title track has already become a huge hit. Desi Beat is a big success overseas but my personal favourite is Teri Meri that completely has Bhai's inputs. Salman always keeps his stock of tunes ready and one day he called me at around 3 am and told me about the melody he was working on," says Himesh.

"After a six-year gap, I don't find any change in him as a person but he has certainly got creatively more evolved. He is blessed in that regard at the moment," adds Himesh.

Guest composer Pritam, who has composed a love song - a ballad - I Love You, says Salman approved of it on the first hearing and there was no need to give another option to him. "And then the way Salman enacts a song enhances the song further. He puts in so much life in it making it more electrifying," says Pritam. ..