By Subhash K Jha

Mumbai, Dec 27 (IANS) Apparently inspired by Aamir Khan, Bollywood star Salman Khan has launched a nationwide hunt for unsung heroes as he turns 44 Sunday to connect with the masses and also promote his forthcoming period film "Veer".

The hunt - for young men and women who have performed heroic deeds which the nation doesn't know about - is one more effort by the actor in bridge-building and improving his image.

"Lately Salman has been going out of his way to connect with the masses. The idea to launch a contest on his birthday to search for unrecognised heroes came from Aamir Khan's recent connect-with-masses Bharat Darshan which he undertook as part of the promotion for '3 Idiots'," said a source close to the actor.

"People close to Salman advised him to find a similar point of connectivity with the common man for Salman's forthcoming film 'Veer'. And what better occasion to show his affinity to the masses than his birthday?"

Confirming Salman's plans to search and celebrate the lives of unsung heroes from all over the country, "Veer" producer Vijay Galani told IANS: "You've heard correctly. Salman is launching a contest to find real-life unsung heroes.

"Since he has played the hero so often on screen, he feels real-life heroes deserve to be brought out of anonymity. We'll be going to the remotest corners of India to select these unknown heroes. Finally one of them will be given the 'Veer' cup personally by Salman at a function in Mumbai."

The much-talked about film is about the bravery of a Pindari soldier and speaks of bravery exemplifying the courage of every oppressed Indian fighting for justice and independence. Directed by Anil Sharma, the film features Salman in never seen before avatar along with newcomer Zarine Khan.

Former Miss UK Lisa Lazarus too plays an important role in the film that also stars Mithun Chakraborty and Jackie Shroff along with Sohail Khan and Bharat Dabholkar.