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

Chinmay Kambli as Shyam in Jhing Chik Jhing

Shoot continued at the school. A lot of the portions with the kids in the school were finished off. This shot is just before one of the takes.

Sanjay Mone Entertains

Sanjay Mone was in full form that day. Keeping the cast and crew in splits.

Shoot at the School

And that was the end of day 20… 5 more to go !

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 -

Actually, that should read Night 14. Night shoots are a different trip altogether. Usually, they happen after a long day of not sleeping, or after several long days & nights with very little sleep. Every one is running on empty. But, they keep running. The humour is graveyard. Very little is needed to get people to start cracking up with laughter.Sometimes, tempers get frayed – everyone is only human after all. But, cigarettes and chai bring peace just as fast. Working with children means that you have to step away for that moment of war and moment of peace

Filming at Night

The Little House on the Farm

We have crossed the half way mark. Things seem to be going as per schedule. The rushes are looking good, and the actors are great.

Nitin Nandan has lived with this story for the last 3 years. He has worked, re worked, written and rewrtitten to get it to this shape and form. He is one of the best human beings we all know, and he is a good director Here he is putting the actors through their paces

director saheb

Young Chinmay Kambli is such a fine actor

Chinmay Kambli in Jhing Chik Jhing

And, there is Bharat Jadhav – he is such an grounded person. Courteous, polite, helpful, co-operative and someone who is not over whelmed by his stardom

Bharat Jadhav