Is Salman Khan's 'Bharat' set to be an absurdist masterpiece?

Director Ali Abbas Zafar channels Samuel Beckett during break from filming

One of Salman Khan's latest Instagram posts show him in Goa - he's personally shared nothing from the Abu Dhabi set yet. Photo / Instagram BeingSalmanKhan
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Could Salman Khan be about to take a turn into the sphere of experimental, absurdist cinema with his latest movie Bharat, which is currently shooting in Abu Dhabi?

It seems unlikely, though a video posted by Twitter user @Salmansfauj ("Salman's Army", so presumably a fan) does seem to show director Ali Abbas Zafar and an unidentified crew member acting out a scene from Samuel Beckett's nihilistic theatrical masterpiece Waiting for Godot, as 'Vladimir and Estragon' sit in the Abu Dhabi desert doing, well, nothing really.

We doubt we are in for an unexpectedly avant-garde treat from Bollywood star Khan, more than likely, the pair are simply taking a break from shooting, which is currently five days into a reported 30-day Abu Dhabi  schedule.

Salman Khan’s many fan pages on Twitter have been eagerly gathering photographic evidence from around the internet to share ever since the shoot began at the weekend. So far, shots of unidentified roads, deserts, and assorted camera and filming equipment are featuring highly.

Twitter user @Being­_Ayash seems to suggest that today will see the crew shooting a song at the big wheel by Marina Mall, and also at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, though this seems to be purely fan conjecture, and extremely unlikely in the latter case.

The team behind Bharat, meanwhile, are maintaining a distinct silence on what, when, or where when it comes to shooting.

The official @Bharat_TheFilm Twitter feed has been deafeningly silent since September 3, while Khan’s own page, like his Instagram account, has seen sporadic recent postings, but none with any mention of the film or Abu Dhabi. Twofour 54 Abu Dhabi, who are handling the local production, have been contacted for further details, but say that the producers are unlikely to offer any information or access to press during their stay.

Bharat also stars Katrina Kaif (she took over from Priyanka Chopra who dropped out of the movie following her engagement to Nick Jonas). The movie is an adaptation of Korean film An Ode to My Father and is being produced by Salman's brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri and Reel Life Productions.

Bharat has also been filming in Malta, and will reportedly shoot in Spain and parts of New Delhi and Punjab.

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Read more:

'Bharat' director gives first glimpse of UAE filming locations

Kangana confirms Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas' engagement

Katrina Kaif swelters in the Abu Dhabi heat while filming Tiger Zinda Hai

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