Zayed Khan gives 50 lakh gift to crew

Zayed Khan's generosity recently found a new admirer in Mission Istaanbul producer Ekta Kapoor. Says Ekta, "I recently heard from cast members how his gesture 'warmed them' when they were shooting in Turkey for Mission Istaanbul. The cast and crew shot despite the cold, inclement weather. Zayed heard about their plight and bought windcheaters for the entire unit."

Double take

Director Apoorva Lakhia confirms, "We were shooting an action scene with 60 fighters flown in from India. Apart from the icy weather, there was rain, wind and sleet with puddles of water all over.

Though the fighters had warm clothes they were getting soaked right through and it was getting increasingly difficult to shoot. Zayed came up to me and said he wanted to go off an hour early. I was irritated and thought that he was going partying again."

Apoorva continues, "The next day, I saw these fighters all wearing expensive Northface windcheaters and jackets and shooting happily. Apparently, Zayed had gone to the shops before they closed, bought these jackets costing over $200 each (Rs 50 lakh in total) and gave them to the fighters. I think he blew up almost all of his earnings from the film before we completed the shoot."

Spiritual trip

Ekta, who is known for her charitable acts says, "Had I known earlier, I would've reciprocated by buying him something super too." Ekta has just returned from a trip to Tirupati, the Kamakhya temple in Guwahati, and the Ajmer Sharif dargah.

She says, "I had promised myself that I would visit Kamakhya after I got the TRPs of my TV show, Kahaani Hamaray Mahabharata Kii (on 9X.). Another reason for the visit is her upcoming release Mission Istaanbul which releases this Friday.