Saif Ali Khan takes Sonakshi Sinha on a rickshaw ride during the shoot of Bullett Raja in Calcutta in February

DULAL LAHIRI

I play Sonakshi’s father in Bullett Raja. It was a small role for which I shot for only four to five days, but I felt good as the process of working was different. Tigmanshu Dhulia is a very good director. His mapping and mounting of the camera says a lot about his knowledge of films. Hindi films are made on a larger scale than Bengali films. A small scene takes a long time and a lot of effort is put in to make it perfect.... I didn’t get an opportunity to talk much to Saif and Sonakshi, but they were very co-operative and didn’t give the impression that they are big stars. There is quite a buzz around Bullett Raja and though there are some other Hindi offers, I can’t talk about them now.

SUDiP MUKHERJEE

This is my first Bolly film. I play a recovery agent who has to go and threaten Sonakshi’s father (Dulal Lahiri) for non-payment. I had scenes with Dulalda, Saif and Sonakshi. Though I shot for only two days, it was a wonderful experience. The funniest part was that most of the shoot wasn’t planned, the location wasn’t decided and things happened in a hurry. We didn’t have lunch breaks during the shoot. The entire unit was served roti with a veg or non-veg dish rolled in it and we had to eat on the go. But we had an amazing time and it didn’t seem that so many technicians were working together. Tigmanshu knew what he wanted.... In a small scene with Saif, I had told him to keep his hand in a certain way. Despite being a big star, he listened to me. We also discussed films. Interestingly, while we were shooting at the Bidhan Sarani Lahabari, the crowd also recognised me!

PHALGUNI CHATTERJEE

I play a police officer in Bullett Raja. It was only two days of work and though my role is small, it’s an interesting one. I really liked working in Bullett Raja and Tigmanshu was very happy with my work. Saif was extremely sober and nice with me. I have worked with Sonakshi before in Lootera. Both of them behaved respectfully with not only me, but also the entire cast. I have got calls from people after the film released on Friday. So far, I have worked in five Hindi films — Kahaani, Lootera, Bullett Raja and two unreleased ones. Dibakar Banerjee has signed me for a role in his latest film, Detective Byomkesh Bakshi.

moumita gupta

Bullett Raja is my first Hindi film. I play Sonakshi’s mother. It was just a small role, but those four days of shoot were very exciting. The casting team had got in touch with me. I had mailed across my photographs and they selected me, perhaps because I have broad shoulders like Sonakshi.... Sonakshi’s Bengali and my Hindi diction were not too good and we both laughed over it. But at the dubbing table, everything fell into place. She is a sweet girl. I also had a scene with Saif and told him that I had worked with his mother Sharmila Tagore in Shubho Mahurat. He was very good to me.

As told to Ratnalekha Mazumdar

HOWRAH BRIDGE TO DALHOUSIE, TAXI TO TRAM: HERE’S HOW CALCUTTA STARS IN BULLETT RAJA

In Bullett Raja, Sonakshi Sinha plays a Bengali girl called Mitali. While most of the film is set and shot in Lucknow, the action shifts to Calcutta post-interval. t2 tracks the five scenes set in our city.

Scene I

Mitali (Sonakshi), an aspiring actress who had left home to pursue her dreams, returns to Calcutta from the badlands of Uttar Pradesh. But she isn’t alone. Beau Raja (Saif Ali Khan) tags along to meet her parents. Also, he has his own demons to fight and is looking to play it cool in Calcutta.

Raja meets Mitali’s parents (Dulal Lahiri and Moumita Gupta) and her sporting grandmother (Debjani Ghosh). And, what’s marriage without topor talk in Bengal? Mitali’s grandmom promptly plonks one on Raja’s head!

Scene 2

The Raja-Mitali romance unfolds at — or against the backdrop of — some familiar Calcutta landmarks to the soulful strains of Saamne hai savera. Howrah Bridge and the Jagannath flower market, the yellow cabs, pretty-in-pink Sonakshi in a tram, Saif taking Sonakshi on a ride on a hand-pulled rickshaw, the bylanes of north Calcutta, a bonedi bungalow, wall graffiti…. so much of the Calcutta we know.

Scene 3

Raja beats up recovery agents played by Sudip Mukherjee and Sanjib Sarkar when the duo pass lewd remarks at Mitali. The only Bengali words that you get to hear from Sharmila Tagore’s son in the whole film are “Diye deen,” that he tells Mitali’s dad, handing over a wad of notes.

Scene 4

By far the funniest scene of the film is played out at the Burrabazar police station! Phalguni Chatterjee is a riot in this two-minute scene where he plays a police inspector. His “Yeh Bengal hai… no corruption!” will make you ROFL.

Scene 5

Raja bids adieu to Calcutta and heads back home.plus, a bong connection

“Puri ko hum luchi kehte hain,” says Mitali, followed by a mention of “paanch-phoron”!

Mitali loves her mishti and she runs through an entire list: Malai Chamcham, Ledikeni, Mishti Doi, Sandesh…. Easy, girl!