'Chennai Express' scene replicated in 'Yeh Rishta'

Television has always been influenced by films, whether it’s stories, show titles or sequences. The latest inspiration comes from the Shah Rukh Khan-Deepika Padukone blockbuster Chennai Express. The scene in which SRK carries Deepika and climbs 300 steps leading to a temple has been replicated in the serial Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. The scene has been filmed on Karan Mehra who is playing Naitik and Hina Khan who is playing Akshara. What’s more, it has been shot in the same location where the SRK-Deepika sequence was picturised — Wai.

The upcoming episodes of Yeh Rishta.. will be about Akshara and Naitik wanting to holiday abroad to celebrate their anniversary. However, at the insistence of Akshara’s mother they divert their plan and visit the Kuldevi temple in Wai.

When Karan was told about the scene he was not unduly perturbed because he has been working out since the past three months. Says Karan, “It’s a romantic sequence as it’s the anniversary and I just went with the flow. However, shooting this particular scene was not that easy as I had to climb 300 steps! To add to it, we shot the scene at 12 in the afternoon and it was scorching hot. I used to climb 10-20 steps and take a break. That way I managed 50-60 steps in three-four takes.”

Ask producer Rajan Shahi about being inspired by Chennai Express and he says it’s a “nice coincidence. It’s a sweet moment in the serial. Naksh (Akshara and Naitik’s son) tells his dad to carry him and later asks if he can carry his mom too! Naitik agrees and carries her all the way.”

The episode is slated to be aired later this week. Incidentally, Rajan has also shot elaborate scenes of the entire family including Naitik’s parents going on a teerth yatra travelling in a train!