Salman's UK Visa woes continue

Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 16, 2013)

Sajid Nadiadwala's magnum opus Kick has been in the pipeline for two years but the project has been stuck deep in the doldrums ever since. A lot of the film's woes are tied to the troubles of its star Salman Khan and the bad times refuse to end for both.

Nadiadwala flew to Glasgow in the last week of July with the cast and crew to shoot the first schedule of the film but Salman was stuck in Mumbai thanks to visa troubles and a looming court date in the hit-and-run case.

The director-producer flew back to Mumbai for Eid celebrations but insiders tell Mirror that the real reasons are a lot less celebratory.

According to last reports, Salman was supposed to leave for Glasgow on Tuesday but the actor is twiddling thumbs at home as he has still not received the required work permit for his UK shoot. When contacted, the actor's father Salim Khan told Mirror, "My son has a tourist visa but he has not got the work permit yet. The shoot may have to be shifted elsewhere." A source close to the film told Mirror, "The second schedule of the film was supposed to be shot in India and now that the Glasgow schedule has gone awry, the film may start with the second schedule in India." "The shoot has hit a big road block. It is not just Sajid, now the whole unit is back in town. They waited in Glasgow for three weeks but Salman was stuck here and the stay was costing a bomb. They did shoot a few scenes without Salman but hardly any," added the source. The film has long faced delays and controversies. Shirish Kunder was the first choice to helm the film but a day after his Joker hit theatres and bit the dust, Nadiadwala announced that he would wield the megaphone for Kick instead. Though Nadiadwala remained unavailable for comment, at the time of going to press last night, a friend of the filmmaker called to say that Salman's work permit is expected by Friday and Nadiadwala hopes to fly back to Glasgow with him on Saturday. We hope that this flight is not one of mere fancy.