Badlapur blast!

Divya Dutta

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When Badlapur was announced, and I had read about it in the newspapers, I had a feeling I’d be a part of it. Intuition, I tell you. And then I got a call that my meeting with the director of the film, Sriram Raghavan, was fixed. I’ve loved his past works — Ek Haseena Thi and Johnny Gaddar; one of the most intelligent, well-read directors. And when I met him, I noticed he was a shy gentleman too. Quietly he narrated the role to me. One of the most subtle ones I’ve played to date; hence, more challenging. And opposite Varun Dhawan. Yes, I was looking forward to shooting it.

The first day shoot was inside a real jail in the outskirts of Mumbai with the super-talented Nawazuddin Siddique. It was the first time we were working together and magic seemed to weave in, as we unearthed the layers of our dialogues. From the expression of those present on the set, I knew, the mood was set for the role. The second day I started shooting with the heart-throb Varun Dhawan. The first day we both sat together and rehearsed the scenes. Yes they were complex and we had to find nuances. I saw a very different Varun. Not the chocolate boy, but a bearded, mature guy. He was different; immersed in his role. And together we churned out some awesome scenes. Yes, including the much-talked about kissing scene, which was two actors performing their parts with great focus.

We were shooting in the Monsoon and it was pouring. And the director asked me if I could drive well. I nodded confidently and what followed was an adrenaline rush for me. I had to match the speed of my car parallel to the train passing by. There was a unit member hidden at the back-seat informing me on the walkie- talkie when the train was to arrive and I had to match the speed. They offered me a body double, but the Punjabi in me said ‘I’d do it myself’. So I drove past at 140 kilometres per hour in the heavy rain, parallel to the speeding train! The cinematographer asked Sriram who was driving? Sriram told him it was me and I got a pat on my back from the ace cinematographer Anil Mehta! That in the film is my introduction scene now.

All the hardwork paid off this week as Badlapur released. To packed houses and critical acclaim! I feel so happy that a journey that started with reading about the film in a newspaper to getting super reviews has been awesome...intriguing. It’s all planned by someone up there. Everything! All you have to do is add your best karma to it, with all sincerity.

Three super hits — Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Ragini MMS 2 and Badlapur! Different roles...but I gave my best and all I can say is...Wahe Guru tera shukar hai...and thanks my dear ones for all the love.

(Dutta is a Bollywood actress)