Working with Salman Shahid (a Pakistani actor, who plays a Taliban fighter) was great. He is a sweetheart. He is among the finest people I have met in my life. He is a real life Santa Claus and a great actor. If you see him in the film and then in person, you will not believe that he is the same guy.
When I landed in Afghanistan, he was having his breakfast. I just walked past him; I did not recognise him. He came to me and asked, 'You are Arshad, right?' And then he hugged me.
I have been in touch with him but it's a bit difficult because he is an old man who doesn't know to operate his mobile.
Shooting in Kabul was tough. It was not comfortable. The environment, weather and living conditions... everything was difficult. The country has been in war for 25 years. But the people are very nice.
The worst thing in Afghanistan is the cold. One particular night, I got very scared while travelling in Kabul. The terrain is not smooth -- the car goes up and down. It was minus 15 degrees. There was cold, fear and on top of that, we couldn't see anything. So John and I kept our eyes shut. Besides, the vehicle was going at a great speed.
Also read: Kabir Khan: Netaji was like a god
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