Tajik influencer Abdu Rozik's Bollywood dreams are coming true. The social media star, who has more than 3.4 million followers on Instagram, has been cast in Salman Khan's upcoming film, which is tentatively titled Bhaijaan.
Rozik, who stands a little over 91 centimetres tall, met Khan at the International Indian Film Academy Awards in Abu Dhabi in June and impressed the actor with his impromptu renditions of Bollywood songs. Khan then invited him to Mumbai where he offered the aspiring actor a role in his upcoming film.
"It's a huge dream for me to get this chance," Rozik, 18, tells The National. "I came from singing in the bazaar to now being with all these big Bollywood stars ... I am so overwhelmed."
While details of the film are still vague, Bhaijaan or "elder brother" in Urdu, is set to be an action thriller and will focus on brotherhood. Khan is also lovingly referred to as "bhai", or "brother", by those in Bollywood and his fans.
"I am chhota (small) bhaijaan now," Rozik says, adding he would love to do more Bollywood films.
"I love India and the people," he says.
Rozik suffers from rickets, which affects bone development in children, and used to earn his living performing on the streets.
The entertainer, who lives in Dubai, is currently in Mumbai to work out the details of his role. He says he's also been brushing up on his Hindi and taking language classes.
"I am also releasing my first Hindi song. It's a very beautiful and emotional song and I hope everyone will like it and support me," he says.
Rozik, who says Khan and fellow star Shah Rukh Khan were his childhood heroes, found online fame in 2019 after videos of him singing went viral.
His voice has since gained him fans around the world and turned him into a social media star. His Instagram is now filled with celebrity selfies, featuring everyone from Egyptian footballer Mohamed Salah to British boxer Amir Khan, with whom he also trained in the ring.
Last year, Rozik became the first personality from his country to receive the long-term UAE golden visa.
“I am deeply humbled and honoured to be the youngest and first from Tajikistan to receive the 10-year golden visa in the UAE. This is a historical moment,” Rozik told The National then, speaking through a translator.
“I would like to thank the royal family who supported me, my sponsor IFCM, the Abu Dhabi government and their team who have all worked so hard. I am overwhelmed by this honour and I promise to make both countries, the UAE and Tajikistan, proud.”
Salman Khan's tribute and Abhishek Bachchan's dance-off: highlights from IIFA Awards 2022 — in pictures
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Actors Maniesh Paul, Riteish Deshmukh and Salman Khan hosted the 22nd IIFA Awards at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. All photos: IIFA2022 -
Salman Khan arrived to the venue on a motorbike. -
Actor Tiger Shroff was one of the first performers of the night. -
Tiger Shroff is known for his high-energy dance moves. -
Shroff performed a mix of his hits, including 'Whistle Baja', 'Zindagi Aa Raha Hoon Main', 'Dus Bahane' and 'Jai Jai Shivshankar'. -
Singer Jubin Natiyal won the Best Playback Singer (Male) for the song 'Raataan Lambiyan' from the film 'Shershaah'. -
Asees Kaur also won Best Playback Singer (Female) for 'Raataan Lambiyan' from the film 'Shershaah'. -
Ahan Shetty won the Best Debut (Male) for his role in 'Tadap'. -
Actor Suniel Shetty handed the Best Debut (Male) award to his son Ahan Shetty. -
Actress Divya Khosla Kumar performs. -
Rapper Yo Yo Singh and Guru Randhawa debuted their song 'Designer' at the IIFA Awards. -
The musicians were joined by Divya Khosla Kumar for a performance. -
Punjabi pop star Guru Randhawa performs. -
Rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh on stage. -
Actor Abhishek Bachchan appears on stage. -
Nora Fatehi on stage at the IIFA Awards 2022 in Abu Dhabi. -
Nora Fatehi shared the stage with a young dancer, Kashni from Abu Dhabi, who she found via an Instagram scout. -
Fatehi also debuted her new song 'Dirty Little Secrets' in Abu Dhabi. -
Filmmaker Vishnuvardhan's film 'Shershaah' won both Best Director and Best Picture. -
Anurag Basu won Best Original Story for 'Ludo'. -
Sai Tamhankar with her award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film 'Mimi'. -
Pankaj Tripathi won Best Supporting Actor for his role in 'Ludo'. -
Kriti Sanon received the Best Actress for her role in the film 'Mimi'. -
Vicky Kaushal with his Best Actor for his role in 'Sardar Udham'. -
Abhishek Bachchan began his performance with the song 'Indiawale'. -
Abhishek Bachchan performs. His was one of the most well-received performances of the night. -
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Aaradhya dancing as they watch Abhishek Bachchan perform. -
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and daughter Aaradhya enjoy Abhishek's performance on the front row. -
Ananya Panday performs. -
Actress Sara Ali Khan performs. -
Abhishek Bachchan performs. -
Ananya Panday's first ever live performance didn't seem like one. She aced it like a seasoned performer. -
Sara Ali Khan delivered a high-energy set on stage. -
For his performance, Shahid Kapoor made his entrance with the song 'Yaad Aa Raha Hai' via a small platform above the audience. -
Kapoor's performance was a tribute to Bollywood singer and composer Bappi Lahiri, who died in February. -
Kapoor also pulled actress Ananya Panday from the audience. -
Lahiri was known for introducing Bollywood to disco and electronic music. For Kapoor's performance, the Etihad Arena was converted into a disco hall. -
Kapoor was also joined by Nora Fatehi for a song. -
Kapoor's tribute to Lahiri was the final performance of the night.
