Scoops: Kangana Ranaut shoots for a romantic song, Sidharth Malhotra goes sleepless for 'Jabariya Jodi'

The shoot of Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi is underway and a romantic song featuring Kangana Ranaut and Jisshu Sengupta was shot recently at ND Studios in Karjat. Interestingly, the track was filmed in just one day! It was choreographed by Saroj Khan, with whom Kangana has worked in the Tanu Weds Manu franchise. 

A source from the sets says, “The actors rehearsed for the song for a week before the shoot. It was challenging to wrap it up in one day keeping the huge set-up in mind as it is a period drama. Nonetheless, Kangana, Sarojji and the entire unit worked really hard. They are happy with the chemistry between the lead actors. The shoot went on till the wee hours of the morning as it was shot cleverly keeping the outdoors as well as the interior portion in mind.” 

The source informs that a library was created as King Gangadhar Rao (Jisshu, who plays Kangana’s husband) had the biggest one in Asia. “A part of the song was shot there while a portion was filmed in the mahal. That’s the reason you see a Sanskrit book in Kangana’s hand,” adds the source.

Sidharth Malhotra is currently shooting for Jabariya Jodi, which is based on Bihar’s pakadwa vivaah (kidnapping a guy to get him forcibly married). A scene in the movie required the actor to look tired in the beginning and he needed to collapse by the end of it. A source says that to make the scene authentic, the makers decided that instead of just relying on make-up to achieve the tired look, they would shoot the scene at night. “Sidharth, on his part, wanted even the body language to reflect that. So, he decided to go sleepless for 48 hours before the shooting began. For two nights, the entire unit slept but not Sidharth who wanted to ensure that he got the results. Finally, they shot on the third night,” adds the source. The team is filming in and around Lucknow including Malhaur, Barabanki and Malihabad.

Gulshan Grover, who turns a year older today, says that this birthday is extra special because his producer-son Sanjay is around to wish him. The veteran actor, who has done noteworthy parts in Hollywood and has also forayed into Polish, Iranian and Malaysian cinema, says, “Every year makes you deliberate on what you have you done and what you have missed out on. Each birthday makes you think how has it been so far. This birthday is special because, by God’s grace, Sanjay wishes me ‘Happy Birthday Papa’ in person and not over the phone from LA.” 

Turning the pages of his album, Bollywood’s original Bad Man recalled some interesting Bday facts. He remembered how the time when he had accompanied Anil Kapoor to Ooty for the shoot of his Malayalam film with Mani Ratnam. And, the Mr India actor got the legendary filmmaker and much-acclaimed cinematographer Balu Mahindra to GG’s room and helped him bag the main villain’s role in Sadma. On another occasion, while shooting a movie with Govinda and Karisma Kapoor in Gobichatipalyam in South India, GG realised that Kareena Kapoor Khan and he shared a birthday. Govinda, the man with the largest heart in cinema, actually treated the Kapoor siblings and the Bad Man to ice cream. Well like they say Gulshan may have played a screen baddie all his life, but he has never been short of friends in the industry.

Vicky Kaushal doesn’t like to wear wristwatches and if you have seen him sporting one on screen, it is only because his character demands it! This was revealed by the Manmarziyaan actor on Midnight Misadventures With Mallika Dua. He said he doesn’t feel comfortable wearing a timepiece. When asked to share his remuneration details per movie, in a truth or dare round, the actor preferred to eat chilli powder rather than give away his price. Touché!

Richa Chadha was in Karnataka recently to film her upcoming project on South adult star Shakeela, in which she plays the titular role. She has decided to buy a plot of land there. The actress, who leads a vegan and organic lifestyle, has been on the lookout for acreage and fell in love with the shoot location of Tirthahalli. Though she was disconnected from the world due to poor signal there, she feels it is a great haven to escape thanks to the greenery and scenic beauty. Says Richa, “When one invests in a land, it is because they fall in love with the place and want to spend a great deal of time there. Thirtahalli had that effect on me. Apart from being clean, green and with the perfect weather, people there made me like the place even more. I knew I would take back memories, but I wanted to literally have a piece of this place. Hence, the decision.”