'Abhishek is such a prankster!'

Making Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost was a memorable experience for its cast and crew.

The film stars Abhishek Bachchan, Lara Dutta and four actors from the Lagaan team: Aditya Lakhia (Kachra), Yashpal Sharma (Lakha), Akhilendra Mishra (Arjan), Dayashanker Pandey (Goli) and Rajendra Gupta (the headman).

The shooting for the film took place in one schedule of 67 days. Director Apoorva Lakhia even set up a recreation centre to rejuvenate his unit after shooting hours. Coated in dust and sand, the crew would head to the centre to play games, listen to music or have some drinks.

Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan stayed with the unit for three days to spend New Year's Eve with their son, Abhishek.

Lakhia's directorial debut, Mumbai Se... has seven members of his family contributing to the film. Mother Kinnari Pannikar, a professional dress designer specialising in the Kutch weave, created 23 of Lara's costumes. Younger brother Abhijeet, an architect, prepared the storyboard. Aunt Meera Lakhia worked as the production designer. Cousin Aditya and uncle Snehal were part of the cast.

Another cousin, Ashish, was Apoorva's assistant and Lakhia's stepfather, John Pannikar, shot the movie stills.

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rediff.com spoke to three members of the Lakhia family about their Mumbai Se... experience.

Aditya Lakhia, actor: The atmosphere on the sets was professional and home-like at the same time. The entire cast and crew, including Abhishek and Lara, would travel together in a bus to the location, which was an hour away. Shooting in Jaisalmer wasn't tough because it was very well-planned and organised by the producer [Vishal Nihalani] and Apoorva. The schedule was pre-decided. Everyone knew in advance which scenes would be shot on that particular day.

In Ashutosh Gowariker's Lagaan, I played a meek character [Kachra]. Here, I am a fun-loving extrovert, unlike Abhishek, whose character is serious. Speaking of Abhishek, he was in love with the unit. He is such a prankster!

Lagaan and Mumbai Se... are two very different films. Lagaan is set in 1893; Mumbai Se... is set in 2003. But comparisons may arise, as this is the first big village film after Lagaan.

It is good to be compared to Lagaan, which is an Oscar-nominated film.

Meera Lakhia, production designer: I have worked in many rural-based films like Ketan Mehta's Mirch Masala [set in Gujarat]. But this was my first time in Rajasthan. Apoorva and I had gone location hunting. We found an absolutely virgin location on the outskirts of Jaisalmer. We made a model after we found the site. The houses of the main characters were decided. Then we worked on the backdrop with the neighbouring houses, puppeteers, weavers, potters, animals and a well.

We built a havada, which is a separate place for camels to drink. The havada came in handy while shooting the Holi song, Holi re. I made sure the sets did not look new and the village looked lived in. I made use of earthy colours like yellow, red and white.

I asked the local women to work in the kitchen set in the backyard so the walls had a lived in feel. The local women who worked with us are amazing. They used to make lemon tea, since the milk would get spoilt due to the heat.

Snehal Lakhia, actor: I played Abhishek's grandfather in the film. It was great experience. I learned how to ride a camel with a lot of difficulty. It was hilarious. The camel just wouldn't do as I say. The unit was like a family. Everyone, from Abhishek to the spot boy, behaved like family. That oneness makes the film special.

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