Exotic locales, sparkling clear water and stunning rock formations stand tall against a perfect azure sky — “Phi Phi Islands, and some of the islands near Ao Nang and Krabi” in Thailand are a tourist’s dream and a film shoot team’s delight. Team Sagardwipe Jawker Dhan soaked in the sights of Thailand for seven days as they shot for the Sayantan Ghosal-directed adventure film starring Koel Mallick, Parambrata Chattopadhyay and Gaurav Chakrabarty. While Koel plays Ruby Chatterjee, a doctor, Parambrata and Gaurav play adventurers Bimal and Kumar. The trio are on a mission to find a treasure. A t2 chat with Koel...
Did you discover Thailand in a new way?
I had a particular picture in my mind for Thailand. The picture was of a nice, happy, fun place with good food and nice beaches. I discovered the landscape this time. The colour palette is amazing. Also, I realised that I was quite brave. The film will be a visual treat. There is a lot of thrill and adventure. The scenic beauty is unbelievable. I went to Phi Phi Islands for the first time. It is so beautiful. We shot almost continuously on a speedboat.
Are you an adventurous person?
I am not an adventurous person at all. I like to be in a safe zone. I don’t like to do a whole lot of adventurous things just for fun (smiles).
But on the sets, you become other people, you get into all sorts of situations and challenge yourself. That’s being adventurous, isn’t it?
True, that’s adventure for me. I am taking on challenges in the movies. Sometimes you have to push yourself to go to that extreme zone to feel the thrill of it. I went through tremendous physical strain during the shoot of Arundhati. And it is always nice to not be comfortable at that time. That helps you to grow. You get to understand yourself better. And when you do an adventure film, you have to go out all the way. You have to do all sorts of things, stunts… you can’t just fake it.
What was the most challenging part to shoot in Thailand?
We had to wade through water to get on to a ship. And there was all the camera equipment around, and we were racing against time. Finally, we got on to one of the extra boats that big ships carry and reached our ship.
Was the sea choppy?
It was extremely turbulent. We were on speedboats and would just go up and down! It was something else. Also, I hate cold weather. I would hate going to Switzerland during winters. And inevitably I would end up in Switzerland in winter for a film shoot, wearing dresses.
Didn’t the crew warn you what to expect while shooting on sea?
That you’d spend so much time in the turbulent waters?
Directors never do that (laughs out loud). I had no idea that I would be spending so much time in the water. And I have this water phobia. I always have this feeling that I am going to drown.
And you have had accidents while shooting in water…
I got seven stitches once. And Dev and I fell into the ocean from a water bike during the Rangbaaz shoot! A wave hit us, I fell, and the next moment I went completely blank. I did not know what to do. Finally, we were rescued.
Before Rangbaaz, I had done a song shoot in the water for Hero with Jeet. We were on a bike and he was swaying merrily. He was so comfortable and I was so tense! I was muttering under my breath while putting up this very happy face for the camera.
Do you know how to swim?
No! I started learning in Class V but once I nearly drowned. That really scared me.
Did you get any off-days during this shoot?
No, and we didn’t have any energy left to step out once the shoot got over.
What was your takeaway?
Initially, my character doesn’t care for any adventure since she is so focused on her work. But then circumstances make her go on an adventure. Once she gets dragged into a situation, she has to finish the entire journey. In the film, Ruby is thrust into a situation and she emerges a winner.
And like Ruby, Koel was also thrust into a situation, and she emerged a brave person!
Absolutely so (smiles)! Never be fearful of anything. If others can do it, you can do it too.
In hindsight, did it help that they didn’t tell you that so much of the film would be shot in water?
It is far better. When you are pushed into a situation and you have to handle it your way, things happen automatically. When you prepare, the tension builds up even more.
