Article from the sets of HSKD in Chandigarh. Sidharth Shukla's playing an NRI named Angad 😊
The shooting of Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania gets underway in Chandigarh.
There is an unusual commotion at Aura Vaseela. For the rural heritage resort is swathed in stripes of yellow and orange. The army of men with microphones ensure not even a passing bird is out of the frame. Every actor gets their spirits together to perfect a song sequence where everyone runs amok, is supposed to have fun and dance with abandon. So there is a blueprint to the chaos. After rubbing enough shoulders with the crew, we spot Alia Bhatt, accompanied by Varun Dhawan. It doesn't take long to also recognise Balika Vadhu's Siddharth Shukla. Dharma Productions, along with its crew comprising over a 100 people and Timmy Productions is getting its act together for Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania. Humpty Sharma Ki... Why do they come up with titles slightly taxing on the vocal chords? Catchy as they certainly might be.
"Like you said. They are catchy...But for this film, the character Humpty Sharma is completely in sync with the script and the role," shares Shashank Khaitan, the man at the helm of all affairs and who debuts as a director with the film.
Even before we move onto the film, the character Humpty Sharma merits a moment of discussion. Over to Humpty. "He is literally a character. He says most inappropriate things at the most inappropriate times," shares Varun. The decision to go ahead with the project goes beyond getting to play the title role. "This story had a lot of heart and soul to it. It's a North India's story and being a Punjabi, I always wanted to play a character based in the North. The shoot is being done in Ambala, Chandigarh and Delhi."
Colourful clothes, loud music, gregarious men; Punjab doesn't get any different than this. "This place offers a lot to a script in several ways. We are trying to keep it as real as possible...Siddharth plays Angad, the NRI. In fact, we are trying to project that Punjab is not just about alcohol. By default the film is based here," the director draws a line at that, lest he discusses too much too soon. He adds, "It's a classical love story. I wouldn't call it a rom-com. It's a romantic film with elements of humour," while admitting to having written the screenplay two years back. "Alia and Varun came as a unanimous choice for the makers."
The lunch break is almost over and it's a quick brief from the director before they resume the drill. The drill of alternating between shooting and cut, till they get the perfect shot. Over to the lady of the moment Alia Bhatt. Life after Highway must be different. "The film changed me as an actor but my life hasn't changed." Two States is already lined up with buzz that's hard to miss. "I would credit a lot of publicity to the brand name of the book. It's a very exciting story which has been kept as real to the book as possible." While there "is no dream role but the aim is to be as versatile as possible."
Like getting to play a girl from Ambala in this film. "I play Kavya Pratap Singh, a very spunky, fiery girl, who is as real as possible." It's been over two weeks of shooting in the city and getting to experience it first hand. Chips in Varun, "We've been to Elante Mall...We did manage going and seeing a film. The people here are pretty chilled out and not quite pushy." He laughs, "In fact with Siddharth along, there's been a problem as women recognise him and adore him."
The big star of the small screen gets to play, what he calls a cameo. "This has been really easy for me. It's something I've been able to do with my television schedule intact. Moreover the Dharma production banner is one of the reasons I am in the film."
The song dangad dangad starts playing in the background again, the microphones, the crew, the sets, everything else is slowly getting back to its place. Once again to ensure, not even a passing bird is out of frame.
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