Rushdie wants Imran Khan as his Hero

Now here's something interesting. If reports are to be believed, Imran Khan is all set to play the role of Saleem Sinai in the adaptation of Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children.

Deepa Mehta is to direct the movie.

"My friend Rushdie will take an active part in casting for the film. He will also look into who plays Saleem, and quite approves of Imran. He is yet to meet Imran though, to take a final call," Deepa was quoted by Mumbai Mirror as having said.

Saleem Sinai, arguably one of Rushdie's most memorable characters, is snot-nosed and the choice of the chocolate boy Imran is bound to ruffle many feathers.

But Rushdie, known to be one to stir the hornet's nest, seems taken in by Imran's glam quotient.

"… if an actor is good and suited to the role he plays, then his popularity will only add to the film's equity," Deepa told the paper.

Interestingly, this is not Rushdie's first attempt at adapting the book. Decades ago he was hoping to produce a series but could not shoot in India. A very young Rahul Bose and Ayesha Dharker were supposed to play the lead roles.