Mumbai, Aug 27 (IANS): Actor Shahnawaz Pradhan, who portrays 26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed in the film “Phantom”, is being kept underground for security reasons.

“Phantom”, which also features actors Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif, has been banned in Pakistan reportedly by the Lahore high court after a petition was filed by Saeed. Therefore the makers of the film have taken precautionary measures, keeping the actor who is portraying Saeed underground.

"The security of all our actors is extremely important for us and now that his identity is revealed, there are precautionary measures being taken," the spokesperson of the film said in a statement.

The film is an adaptation of S.Hussain Zaidi's novel "Mumbai Avengers". It is set five years after the attacks, when a retired army officer spearheads a covert mission to seek out and kill the terror masterminds.

Directed by Kabir Khan, the film will release on Friday.