The cast of Haathi Mere Saathi on the lessons from the wild

Gurnaaz Kaur

In 1971, Rajesh Khanna-starrer Haathi Mere Saathi was the biggest hit of the year. Forty years later, a new storyline with the same title, directed by much acclaimed director Prabhu Solomon, will hit the big screens on March 26. Prabhu is said to be an expert on films around wildlife and going by the title one knows it’s about a man’s bond with elephants. Only this time around, the story focuses on the man-animal conflict on a grand scale.

The official teaser of the movie had created quite a buzz on social media and the team, comprising Rana Daggubati, Pulkit Samrat, Shriya Pilgaonkar and Zoya Hussain, seems to be as excited about the film as its ardent fans. These stars along with Prabhu released its trailer today over a virtual press conference.

Rana plays the protagonist who spends his life in jungle and is dedicated to protecting the ecosystem. The actor wishes even the trailer release could have been a big-screen affair. “How much I would have loved to do this in a movie theatre, as a real experience where we could all watch it on the large screen, yes, I am talking about the trailer. It deserves it,” he says. Getting to experience a new world each time with a new story is the reason Rana says he chose acting and with Haathi Mere Saathi, his life has changed forever.

“Of all the roles I’ve portrayed so far, Bandev is the noblest. While each film has taught me something, this one has changed me forever. Imagine spending a few days in jungle, one does feel a shift… We spent a year in jungle, it ought to bring a transformation in us as humans.”

Well, some films have that kind of impact afterall. Zoya’s experience, for instance, has brought her closer to the cause. “When you take on a role like this, it is no frivolous act where you may do anything and there is no consequence. Dedication of life to one cause, being true to what the director wants from you, that’s a lot of hard work. I had to have that one-point focus.”

For those who didn’t know, it is a trilingual film that was simultaneously shot in Telugu as Aranya and Tamil as Kaadan. Bankrolled by Eros Motion Pictures, it is an intriguing narrative of love, loss and the hunger for power that is inspired by many real-life incidents.

A lover of elephants, the story is close to Shreya’s heart. As she juggled in three languages to perfection, she knows the film is sure to touch everyone. “I knew I didn’t want to sound gibberish when I spoke Tamil or Telugu, so that preparation beforehand was essential but that didn’t draw away my attention from the issue this film deals with. It makes you realise your responsibility towards nature.”

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