On 9th July 2018 around 11 am I got a call that yes I can visit the set as they are shooting today. My excitement level knows no bounds; I was jumping like a small kid. One of the reason to be happy other than visiting the set was that I got the permission to visit the set. Yes, entering Film City is not easy CISF stops you at gate and asks for either your identity card or permission letter, message etc. If you fail to show, they don’t let you go in. Therefore, technically, I had crossed the biggest hurdle that could have come in between and I was very happy. I was in Mumbai for three days only and on 9th evening I had my flight back to Delhi. I tried to meet them on Sunday but unfortunately they were not shooting on Sunday and this was like my last chance. Nevertheless, a permission to visit the set on 9th July 2018 gave me a hope that I would finally get to meet them, little did I know that nature would be playing a villain. I had to reach the set between 1:30 pm to 2 pm but due to rains, I reached one hour late that is around 3 pm. I had almost lost hope of meeting them as I had a flight to catch as well but destiny was with me it seemed like.
When I reached, they had just gone to change their dress for the next shot. Therefore, I was told that when they will walk out from their makeup rooms towards the shot area that’s the time I can meet them because if they start shooting I won’t be able to meet for almost two hours because they had to shoot back to back. They also told me had I come sometime back I would have met them in Sameer and naina’s look now they are in different look. I said its ok no problem I just want to meet them. Then slowly I started seeing the other cast. I saw the extras also who stand in background and recognized few of them as well. That's the school/ college area inside the shoot was supposed to happen inside that.
I saw kamya and hema but before I could approach them from the other side, I saw kartik and priyank coming out of the makeup room. What caught my attention was that behind them I saw Sanjay aka Munna coming towards the shoot area. I walked towards him and shook hands with him while introducing myself. I told my name and said I am from Delhi. I showed him my poem and he read few lines before saying he will read it after the shot. I said ok and then asked if I could click a picture with him, he agreed. He adjusted his hair and then we clicked pictures. After that, he left for the shot. His voice was very sweet in real life.
I was recovering from that moment when I saw Raghav aka Pandit coming. I went towards him and shook hands while repeating my introduction again. He also read few lines from my poem. He said he will read it after the shot but its nice (based on few lines that he read) and said you would be here right. How I wish I could but alas I had a flight to catch so said I may not be as I have a flight to catch. I requested him for a picture and then we clicked few pictures. Before leaving he said do watch the show on TV and I said I watch on TV only. He was very sweet.
Then I realized while meeting the two I missed Ayesha aka preeti and Kristina aka swati as girls makeup room was on other side so they had already towards the shooting place. I was about to go there when I saw Randeep aka Sameer walking towards the shoot area. I rushed towards him. He was totally unrecognizable he was in dhoti kurta and beard. I tried hard not to laugh seeing him. If I had seen that look earlier, I would not have had to control my laughter. I introduced myself and asked if he has two minutes to spare. He said he is getting late for the shot so I said can I please have a picture with you. He looked towards someone and asked “yeh look reveal nahiin karna hai na”. That person said yeah I was about to say ok disappointedly when my friend said she won’t upload the picture till the look is revealed. He again looked towards that person and this time I said please with a smile. That person didn’t say anything and then Randeep said ok. We quickly clicked picture and he said don’t reveal it I said I won’t it’s a promise. I gave him my poem’s copy and he went towards the shot area.
Then I realized I needed to meet Ayesha and swati but by that time, the shoot had started. I was waiting for ashi aka naina but someone said her scenes are after one hour so she is in make-up room. I requested someone that please take me there as I am in a hurry I have to catch a flight. That person said ok and took me to her room. She was sitting there in a saree and at first, I was like is this nanu’s saree but then realized only the blouse is same saree is different. I again repeated my activity shook hands and introduced myself. I then apologized her for entering the makeup room like this but I had to leave for airport and I didn’t wanted to leave before meeting her. She said its ok and then I gave her my poem. She read the entire poem and while reading she said, “I am sorry I am bad at reading poems” I said its ok. She was reading the poem as if reading some passage continuously without pausing and all. She was continuously smiling while reading the poem and at the end, she said it is very nice. She said she liked the poem very much. I then requested for a picture and then we clicked few pictures. For clicking my picture, I had kept my bag on floor so ashi picked that up and kept it on a chair. She said, “I don’t like keeping bag and things like that on floor I prefer keeping it on chair”. I smiled and then we clicked the picture. Before leaving I told her that the next time I visit Mumbai I will try to stay longer so that I can meet other cast as well properly she said yeah sure.
Believe me while meeting everyone my heartbeat was beating at faster rate, a shiver ran down my spine and I was also nervous at the same time. Only I know how I controlled my increasing heartbeat and my nervousness. After that, I roamed the set for few minutes and then left the set and Film City, as I had to catch my flight. While roaming the set I saw naina’s house, I went to their room, stepped in balcony and then I decided to see taiji’s house.
As soon as I entered taiji’s house bang it was not taiji’s house it was Sameer’s house. I was stunned but then I was like may be because of cost cutting they converted taiji’s house into sameer’s house. That house which is shown as Sameer’s house is somewhere else not here for sure.
Nevertheless, sameer’s room is not in that house its on ground floor on the left hand side of the colony gate. The place/ door where Sameer sits and talks with naina and few leaves are shown is on the set itself near the entry gate of the colony. That room was closed so I couldn’t go inside it. Note the place behind me was sameer's room that's what I was told. Since I didn't see it I cant guarantee it whether it was true or not.
The jungle scene which they shoot is also in film city in fact just outside the set, the road on which they are seen travelling for naina’s birthday that you can also say is the way towards set.
Balcony of Taiji's house and at back its Chacha ji's house balcony.
Lastly, Even though my meet was very short, yet it was sweet and memorable. Hoping for a longer meet the next time I visit the set.
P.s Thank You to two of my mumbai Friends (Farzana di and Amby) who constantly helped me and were by my side through out everything. Love you
P.s.s Pic Credit Farzana di