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

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 !

This was a day where we did a lot of the family scenes at the house.

The family is a happy family of 4 – father Mouli (Bharat Jadhav), mother Manda (Madhavi Juvekar), daughter Dipti (Aarti More) and Shyam (Chinmay Kambli).

And it was a great time shooting with such wonderful actors.

Madhavi Juvekar & Aarti More - Jhing Chik Jhing

The person in a shoot unit who is usually the most stressed out is the Chief AD or the Chief Assistant Director. In this case it was Charles Gomes

Charles Gomes

The others who get genuinely stretched are the light guys – they have to lift, position and move around lights – that really aren’t very light. And, over and above that, everyone hurries them up

Lighting Up

When on a shoot schedule, you take your naps when you can – usually when there is lighting up happening. Here is Nitin Nandan – the director – who has worked so very hard on this film – having a shut eye. It must have been one of the few times during the schedule, when he actually managed to get some rest !

40 winks

The two days of catching up got over, and Day 11 was slightly more chilled out. Not, that anything on a shoot floor on location can be chilled out.

Here is the Star of the film – Bharat Jadhav waiting for a shot

Bharat Jadhav

Aarti More plays Dipti – Shyam’s sister and Mouli’s (Bhart Jadhav) daughter.

Aarti More

The relationship between Dipti and Shyam is that of any brother and sister. She bullies him, and he pulls her hair

Siblings - Aarti More and Chinmay Kambli as Dipti & Shyam

In an outdoor shoot, one of sights that can make your heart skip a beat is this

Rain Rain Go Away,

The previous night’s rains had slowed down work considerably. Unit members were still trying to get the house ready. But, one of the things that all of us realise is that you cannot circumvent the laws of Physics

Shishir Kulkarni, couldn’t shoot anyone -it is illegal. So he took the PD that is used for the ‘making of ‘ and ‘continuity issues’ and used it like a gun

Kulkarni with the PD

And, finally it is ready and the question to ask is how many people can get into a room ?

how many people can squeeze into a room

Shooting in Dhule. Key scenes in the film were shot in town of Dhule.

It is incredible as to how helpful everyone is in the shoot of the film. From Government officers, to local politicians, to shop keepers to people on the street. We all understand that a camera crew will severely disrupt everyone’s life – but the people of Dhule never once made us feel like outsiders. Warmth, friendship and good cheer -everyone in the Unit will carry home fond memories of this town and its people.

It was Chinmay’s day. Key scenes shot with him having a blast. And somehow i think that this photograph most captures the spirit of the film, the spirit of carefree innocence – that allows you to belive and overcome

Chinmay Kambli - I Rule

and this

A Sea of Cotton !

Shooting in Dhule. Key scenes with Bharat Jadhav and Chinmay Kambli were shot today. And Bharat has put in a power house of a performace. There isn’t going to be an uninvolved person in the theatre. What incredible talent.

Father & Son