The film Rhaatee has many reasons to celebrate and the most important among them is that it is finally set to release this Ugadi after being in the making for two years. The film is also being touted as the one that will make it a hat trick for director AP Arjun, whose two previous films, Ambari and Addhuri rocked at the box office. The film, produced by V Harikrishna, has generated a lot of curiosity from the early glimpses of its making to its songs and picturisation. City Express spoke to the lead pair — Dhananjay and Shruti Hariharan about their experiences on set.
On the two years
Dhananjay: As the film gets close to its release date, I am quite excited, especially after seeing the visuals. I am eagerly waiting for the release. A lot of creative minds were involved in the making of this film and that is why it took time. Ultimately, I believe that we have come up with a good product and it will be accepted by the audience.
Shruti: I have given two years of my life for the film. I am extremely excited because I know that Rhaatee will give me an opportunity to establish myself in a different way in the industry. For me, each shot in the film has a two-hour story, which will run as a flashback inside me.
On director AP Arjun
Dhananjay: Even though he takes time in making his films, Arjun is a passionate director. His end product will always be good. He looks for perfection and this film should cement the hat trick for him.
Shruti: He is a perfectionist and a passionate director
On Satya and Ravi Verma
Dhananjay: Cinematographer Satya Hegde has a magical touch. Even though I am new to action, stunt director Ravi Verma considered giving me some good stunts and made me look like an action hero. People who watch me will feel that I can fight well.
Shruti: Satya Hegde and his entire team have toiled hard for Rhaatee. Visually it is going to be brilliant.
Satya has a way of capturing perfect emotions visually and that is his strength. I am really blessed to work with him in these early days of my career.
With Ravi, though I did not have any fights to be choreographed by him, I remember the conversations I used to have with him. He has come up the hard way and I have deep respect for him.
Exciting shots Dhananjay: The forest episodes were challenging. They were difficult because it used to rain everyday of the shoot and it was frustrating at times. Our schedule was for 15 days but it went on for 25 days and we got drenched on all days. However, if I think of those days now, it feels exciting.
Shruti: The most exciting part of the shoot was at Gokarna. We were shooting in artificial rain for seven days. The water was cold and it was peak winter. My skin started to peel off and I had high fever. Dhananjay had a fight sequence and he was bruised. It was by far, the most difficult shot for me.
Onscreen chemistry
Dhananjay: The credit goes to Shruthi for our good onscreen chemistry. Personally, I take time to open up, but we became good friends.
Shruti: I felt comfortable with Dhananjay. He is a very good man.
Kiss and tell Dhananjay: The romantic script demanded a few kisses. I discussed it with the director and Shruthi so that it would be comfortable for both of us.
Shruti: The characters of the film have unconditional love for each other and that is what is established in the film. If you can’t show the two lovers kiss, it can’t work. It was required and we did it.
Overall experience
Dhananjay: I don’t think I can take up a challenge of doing another film like Rhaatee as it is once in a lifetime opportunity.
Shruti: Apart from teaching me a lot of lessons on acting, the film also taught me about being an actor off-screen. It taught about people skills. Rhaatee was overall a huge learning experience.