Mumbai, Aug 20 (IANS) Director Nila Madhab Panda loved shooting his film "Halkaa" in Delhi, and says the team got a lot of love and support from the people of the capital city.
"Halkaa" is a take on a slum child's heroism, aspirations and dreams. The child protagonist, Pichku, fights for the basic problem that he faces everyday -- like defecating in the open, amongst other issues. It is his dream to make a toilet of his own where he can enjoy his privacy.
The makers shot the film for 25 days in the slums of Delhi. While shooting, the production team painted many houses of the slums and got local students to design cool graffitis and paintings on the walls.
The locals were so happy with the gesture that on the last day of the shoot, all the women of the slums prepared 'Chai and Bhajiya' (tea and snacks) for the entire cast and crew of the film.
"We received lot of love and support from the locals while shooting," Panda said in a statement to IANS.
"It was a very sweet gesture from them to come together and cook 'Bhajiya and Chai' for our entire team. This gesture of theirs will always be remembered," he added.
The film features Ranvir Shorey, Paoli Dam and child actor Tathastu. The film is in sync with the Swachh Bharat Mission and supported by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
Presented by the Shiv Nadar Foundation and produced by Roshni Nadar Malhotra in association with Akshay Parija and Nila Madhab Panda, "Halkaa" will release on September 7.
-*-
Shamita Shetty's Spanish connection
Actress Shamita Shetty is learning Spanish and is enjoying the process of getting a grasp of a foreign language.
The actress got hooked to the language when she was shooting for "Khatron Ke Khiladi 9" in Argentina.
"I've started learning the basics of Spanish and I am quite hooked on to the language," Shamita said in a statement to IANS.
"Though it's quite difficult to understand the words and get the right pronunciation, I'm enjoying the process," she added.
-*-
Pankaj Tripathi wraps up 'Super 30'
Actor Pankaj Tripathi has completed shooting for "Super 30". He says working with Hrithik Roshan was great fun.
"I have wrapped up the shoot of 'Super 30'. It was a lot of fun working with Hrithik again and we got to spend some time after 'Agneepath'. We met and spoke a lot. It was fun. Hrithik always encourages me," Pankaj said in a statement.
Being helmed by Vikas Bahl, "Super 30" is a film about a mathematics wizard (essayed by Hrithik), who teaches 30 meritorious and talented candidates each year from economically backward sections for the entrance examination for the Indian Institute of Technology.
The film is backed by Reliance Entertainment and Phantom Films. It will release on January 25, 2019.
"Also Vikas Bahl, Hrithik and I were discussing how some scenes and shots were truly magical. I had a lot of fun working with this team and Vikas is as good a human being as he is a director, Hrithik too. My character is extremely interesting and very colourful," he added.
At the moment, Pankaj is awaiting the release of "Stree", which is slated to open on August 31.
