More filming with the children. A warm winters’ day in Dhule, the unit continued the shoot in the outdoors near the city. Everyone is aware that it is a long day, it will end 48 hours from now when the long shoot schedule packs up.
We began by shooting with Aarti More – who plays Dipti

Aarti More as Dipti in Jhing Chik Jhing

And then going home – Dipti, Shyam and Raja – who is Raja you may ask – watch the film

Shyam, Dipti & Raja in Jhing Chik Jhing

There were a lot of outdoor – as opposed to set up – shoots to do. Mostly with the children.

Aarti and Chinmay were the focus of a lot of the shoot today, as Nitin explored the dynamic between brother & sister

Chinmay Kambli & Aarti More in Jhing Chik Jhing

Pushpank Gawde, one of hte film’s producers’ watches the day’s proceeds.

Day 21 saw us shooting a lot of scenes with Dilipji and Chinmay. The day started with a bit of confusion. Dilipji arrived, but his costume & property (glasses) didn’t. The assistants & the dressman scampered to find it.

Srikanth, Tejas, Bharat Dhake, Tanmay,

Nitin used to the down time to brief Dilipji and Chinmay and get their timing correct.

Getting the Timing Right

And then Dilipji & Chinmay practiced on their own. Their chemistry between them is obvious even in a still photograph.

And, the scene :

Two to Tango

The shooting began for the film’s climax. The hustle and buslte and the fact that the schedule was almost at a close could be felt in the air

The Crew

A quiet moment for the family – Bharat Jadhav (Mouli), Madhavi Juvekar (Manda), Chinmay Kambli (Shyam) and Aarti More (Dipti)

Happy Families

It has been a long schedule – and there is a week still to go. The crew has been working non stop since the 10th of November. No breaks. Day and Night.

Last night the whole crew watched the news coming out of Mumbai – everyone is from there. It was work as usual, but the mood was subdude.

And the director, contemplative, before a shot!

One of the sheer joys of filming, is going up on the crane and peering down on the world around you. For Cameramen – or Directors of Photography – it may not be that exciting. But, for the Director it is that entire sense of power and control

Master of the Universe

This was the day that we were shooting extensively with children, and the kids are masters at this game

Chinmay Kambli in Jhing Chik Jhing

Kids will be kids, and they will play anywhere – here is Shyam (Chinmay Kambli) & Gautam (Prateek Dalvi) having fun

And  of course, Dipti (Aarti More) and Shyam (Chinmay) have lots of fun with the harvest

Children will Play !

Shooting with Dilip Prabhavalkar is a different trip. He is every one’s favourite uncle. And, he has a fabulous sense of humour. This was shot during makeup :

The Karela Face Pack

And, he is a consummate professional.

The Master at Work

On this day we had a lot of scenes to can.  The lighting team worked at breakneck speed to get things organised

Up Above the Sky So High

Bharat Jadhav & Dilip Prabavalkar got on like a house on fire, having worked in plays earlier. It is one of the rare times that such stalwarts of Marathi cinemna are together, sharing a frame and a film.

The Masters

Lunch was a blast. Madhavi Juvekar, Bharat Jadhav and Dilip Prabhavalkar

Lunch -

An outdoor shoot means an early start. You want to get as many hours in before the sun begins blazing. And, in areas like this, there is very little cover. It seriously gets very, very hot.

But, there was a buzz in the air. It was the day that Dilip Prabhavalkar began his schedule.

Bharat Jadhav & Dilip Prabhavalkar

The unit was also buzzed because it barely got sleep. At times like this there is just one thing to do -make sure that chai is on tap, there is enough to eat through the day and people get tons of water to drink, and you pack up early enough for the unit to get some rest….

Chai on Tap

Most shoots have a person whose sole role is to make tea through the day!

And, then there is nashta, beyond the nashta . And, these things matter otherwise you crew will collapse !

Snacks

But, it is not just food and drink. Shots have to be taken, Crowd has to be controlled, fans have to be met, lunch has to be planned for, transport has to be organised, press has to be met ….. it is just another day on the shoot floor – and none of us would trade it in for anything else

Crew at Work

Getting the Trolley Shot Ready

Aah, the joys of shooting outdoors. The wonderful thing is that the moment a camera comes out, so do faces peering into it. and, people love to stand and watch the goings on. Which is great fun, in the sense of the city or town participating in your film, but a pain in terms of shooting.

Srikanth – one of the AD’s on a shoot created a diversion. He moved 180 degrees away from the shoot area with a small crew and a video camera. Stood on a stool and entertained the crowds. Soon the crowds were roaring away – a good distance away from where the unit was filming. And, the unit managed to take its shot !

The Director and the Producer

Nitin Nandan and Pushpank Gawde on location, Jhing Chik Jhing

Shooting at the school with Sanjay Mone and the children continues….

Amalendu takes a Shot

An army marches on its feet, so does a shoot crew. With 90 people at Dhule, it is an exercise in logistics. Waking people up, hot water, getting them breakfast, chai on the tap, lunch, nasta, dinner …

Hot Sev

And, the young actor – Chinmay Kambli – who is so very talented. Chinmay plays Shyam in Jhing Chik Jhing.

Chinmay Kambli in Jhing Chik Jhing

Prateek Dalvi plays Gautam, Shyam’s best friend and his co -conspirator in mischief

Gautam - played by Prateek Dalvi