New Delhi, Nov 3: Superstar Salman Khan's eccentric character Chulbul Pandey from Dabangg has inspired actress Soha Ali Khan to play a rustic cop in her upcoming film Jo Bhi Karva Lo.
Soha, 34, said she is a huge fan of the actor and took inspiration from him to portray her character of inspector Shanti Priya in the mad-cap comedy.
"I am excited about my role because for the first time I will be doing action alongwith comedy. My character is like Salman Khan's Chulbul Pandey and I have taken inspiration from him.
"I am a huge Salman fan and had a crush on him when I watched Maine Pyar Kiya. Though I haven't shared screen space with him till now, he has always been very supportive to me," Soha told PTI.
Directed by debutante Sameer Tiwari, the film also stars Paresh Rawal, Arshad Warsi and Jaaved Jaffery. It will go on floors this month. To prepare for her character, Soha is taking some martial art lessons.
"I have enrolled myself for Kung Fu classes. My character demands a lot of action. It's not a tough task because I am a fitness freak. I do yoga and hit the gym regularly. But self-defence is something which is completely new to me. "I don't have to prepare myself for comedy because it is something which cannot be taught. Comedies are all about timing," she added.
Known for portraying serious characters in films like Rang De Basanti, Khoya Khoya Chand and Soundtrack, Soha opted for the film because she wanted some change in her filmography.
"I always play those characters whose fiance is either died or going to die. All those are gloomy characters. I opted for this film because I was quite convinced with the way Sameer (director) narrated the script to me.
"Moreover, I am getting a chance to work with some of the best funnymen of the industry like Paresh Rawal, Arshad and Jaaved," she said.
The year has been fulfilling so far for Soha, as she made her TV debut with TLC's What not to Wear and will be seen in big projects like Mira Nair's Midnight's Children and Tigmanshu Dhulia's sequel to Sahib Biwi Aur Gangster.
"I am lucky that I have had a good year. Hopefully, my first international project Midnight's Children will release in India in the last week of December.
"I am currently shooting with one of the best directors of today - Tigmanshu Dhulia for Sahib, Biwi Aur Gangster 2. My brother is also working with him for Bullet Raja but I am the first one to work with him in my family," she said.
