Ali Zafar packs a punch

The Pakistani singer-actor returns for the 'Tere Bin Laden' sequel armed with newly-acquired six-pack abs.

Ali Zafar, who made his Bollywood debut with Abhishek Sharmadirected Tere Bin Laden in 2010, returns for the sequel this year. Only, this time, he makes a special appearance in a song, titled "Six Pack Abs", for which he had to bulk up. "I was given the task of composing, writing and singing the song. I had a lot of fun with it. It's like an interesting take on the item number concept and the trend of acquiring abs to ensure a hit song," the Pakistani singer-actor reveals cheekily, adding that he lent the track a vintage Bollywood feel with a modern hook and quirky lyrics. "Everybody who hears it for the first time bursts out laughing."

Talking about his new muscular frame, the 35 year old says, "It was a strict schedule of three months to get into shape. I was off carbs and sugar and worked out twice a day before the shoot commenced. After it got over, I binged on ice cream and parathas for a month."

But why only a special appearance this time? "Tere Bin Laden and its makers are close to my heart. It was like we made history with not only the first film of our careers, which went on to garner a cult following, but also the fact that it was probably the first venture where a Pakistani actor was cast as the protagonist, paving way for several others. When the sequel came underway, Abhishek and I were excited about it but as an actor I wanted to try something challenging. So he decided to just cast me in this interesting number," Ali signs off.