Of deja vus and surprises

Surprises galore were in store for Tanu Weds Manu director Aanand L Rai as he began shooting for the film's sequel in Lucknow on Tuesday with Kangana Ranaut. Madhavan, who reprises his role in the sequel, dropped in the day before shoot to wish the director and participate in the puja, despite not being part of the first schedule. Says Rai, "Madhavan said he had flown from the south for a day just to be with the cast and crew. It made me emotional. He came the next day sharp at call time and was with us the full day. Sonam Kapoor and Dhanush (his Raanjhanaa stars) called me up to wish me too. I feel blessed that I have received so many good wishes from my stars."

The first day of shoot also brought some deja vu. "We're shooting at the same haveli (Tanu's home) five years after the first film. It's an inexplicable feeling. I never knew I would end up making a sequel to the film at the same place five years later. It brought tears to my eyes. Tanu's room was exactly the same way we had left it." This time around, Kangs has a double role. One sees the story taking off from where Tanu Weds Manu ended (she's now a housewife), while the other role has her playing a Haryanvi athlete performing at state championshops in high-jump and triple-jump. "It took us almost eight months to put together Kangana's looks for the double role," says Rai.