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

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 !

Day 10 was the start of the shoot at Mouli and Shyam’s family home.

One of the things that you have to keep in mind at any location, is gettting things ready on time so that you don’t waste time on location. But, goof ups do happen.

One happened here -  the home wasn’t ready which can be kind of a downer on a shoot. Location not ready. And, it isn’t that we can afford that kind of waste. The producers did what they are best at – jugaad …. cheat – so that those shots that don’t really need the house, get shot….while the house gets readied

getting the house ready

When stuff like this happens, and it happens no matter how well planned you may be, it is all hands on deck. It doens’t matter if you are the Producer or the spot boy – every one works to get things up and running. It is one of the things that people who work in production like most about it — on the floor there is no buck passing. we will figure the reasons later, but for now the shot has to be taken !!

Pushpank Gawde - getting the house ready!

And, that night it rained – putting more pressure on the next day’s shoot.

To Market, to market – to sell some cotton.

Shooting outdoors has its own set of issues. Most people on a shoot crew will laugh about it over a few drinks afterwards, but it does get to be very tense. Be it time taken for light up or crowd control, or finding a loo in the middle of nowhere !

Seeing the Scene

Filming with Sanjay Mone is great film. One of the finest performers in Marathi Theatre, TV and film – he has a fine light touch that works just as well off camera.

These scenes were shot at the school where Sanjay plays the teacher

Sanjay Mone goes for a Take

Working with children is always a different trip – coz children ask the darndest questions. here is Nitin trying to answer some of them

Director Uncle tell Me....

And, of course the lighting. Getting things just right

Lighting Up