`Tubelight`: Not Sohail Khan, but an A-List actor was initially supposed to play Salman Khan`s brother

Mumbai: Ever since the trailer of Kabir Khan’s ‘Tubelight’ starring Salman Khan was unveiled, fans of the superstar have been eager to watch his on-screen bromance with real life brother Sohail Khan. But interestingly, Sohail was not the first choice to essay Salman’s brother in the film!

According to a report in DNA, Kabir was considering an A-List actor for the brother’s character. Akshay Kumar was one of the three A-listers on Kabir’s mind. But it was apparently Salman who felt that his real-life equation with his brother would reflect effortlessly on screen and hence decided to sign him for the film.

“Instead of a real brother, I thought we should get another actor and create the chemistry on screen,” DNA quoted Kabir as saying.

“That was while we were developing the script, and before we could decide, I was convinced by Sohail. Maybe, with another actor, I would have had to spend time and create the chemistry that Salman and Sohail share,” Kabir added.

Talking about his decision to cast Sohail, Salman said, “I wanted to be really comfortable, and honestly, with Sohail, I didn’t need to act too much. The emotions came automatically.”

Slated to release on July 23, ‘Tubelight’ marks the Bollywood debut of Chinese actress Zhu Zhu. The film also features late actor Om Puri and Shah Rukh Khan in a cameo appearance.