Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan is doing record business. A lot of people contributed big time to the film, apart from its leading actors, directors etc. One of them is Shah Rukh Khan’s body double Prashant Walde. He spoke exclusively to Bollywood Hungama about his experience of working on the film and a lot more.
Prashant Walde began by talking about having a bald look. He said, “For the first time, I did such prosthetic make-up in my life. We shot for almost a month in this look. I used to get boils as chemicals are used in prosthetic make-up. My skin used to get burnt. If the prosthetics were applied on alternate days, then it would not be a problem.”
He said his family members were amused by his bald look, “Unko dekh ke maza aata tha. It’s a work that requires the utmost attention. Agar theek se nahin kiya, toh fatt jaata tha. It takes 2-3 hours. There were times when Shah Rukh bhai used to look at my prosthetics and remark, ‘Tera toh bada accha laga hua hai’! Toh bada taam jaam rehta tha set pe!”
Prashant continued, “There was a lot of detailing. They made sure that the shade of the bandage didn't change. Even for the old look, a lot of care was taken. Atlee sir used to keep an eye on these details.”
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He went on praising the blockbuster director, “Atlee sir worked with a lot of dedication and we can see today how it has worked big time. And of course, Shah Rukh bhai also gave his life and soul to the film. He had to face several problems during the course of the shoot. In our hearts, we knew that yeh film dhamaal karne waali hai! And that’s what happened. Until now, Bollywood had never seen a film like this. Everyone is unanimously saying that this is Shah Rukh Khan’s best film!”
Prashant Walde added, “Even when we shot for the first teaser, I got a feeling from inside that Jawan will create history. I told this even to Shah Rukh bhai’s team. They used to tell me, ‘Prashant, chup reh. Nazar mat laga’ (laughs)!”
Explaining why he felt so, he explained, “I have done many films and ads in 17 years. But the experience and vibe of Jawan were something else. Atlee sir’s shift used to be for 12 hours but we would end up working for 14 hours. I don't remember the shoot getting over in 12 hours ever! We used to be tired and yet, we couldn’t wait to report to the set the next day. Atlee sir would tell me, 'Tum monitor pe baithe raho. Kabhi bhi zarurat pad sakti hai'. I had no qualms as I had never seen such direction before. His whole team was also quite dedicated. In Bollywood, jo humein diya gaya hai, log wohi kaam karte hai in terms of the breakdown of scenes. But Atlee sir and his team used to always wonder how they could make the scene better. Everyone on the set was always running as if they’ll miss the train if they slow down!”
He further stated, “Atlee sir ko jo chahiye, agar unhe us cheez ko Shah Rukh bhai nahin dete the, toh Atlee sir khud karke dikhate the. And Shah Rukh bhai would surrender. He ensured he delivered as per Atlee sir's requirement. Both would never compromise. The dedication of Atlee sir and hard work of Shah Rukh bhai...you had to see it to believe it.”
Prashant Walde also revealed that Atlee was a stickler for punctuality, “Once, there was a major traffic jam around Kalina University due to Maharashtra’s former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's visit. I got stuck. Our call time was at 6:00 pm. Suddenly, I saw Atlee sir speedily walking towards the shoot venue. I called him and asked him to join me in the car. But he politely declined, saying that he was late. He walked a great distance since he realised he'd reach faster on foot.”
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At Kalina University, the scene of the hospital in the first half was shot. Prashant Walde revealed, “The blast that took place in the scene in the government hospital was quite risky. In 18 seconds, 28 blasts were carried out. We all were told to stay as far away as possible due to the risk. But I said, 'Mujhe toh dekhna hai'! And it was quite a sight. Aise khatarnaak blasts hue the! There were so many camera setups and other preparations that they had to do it in one take. And they managed to do so.”
Prashant Walde then mentioned about the climax scene, comprising Azad and Vikram Rathore, both of which were played by Shah Rukh Khan. He said, “Sometimes, Shah Rukh bhai used to shoot for the young character, that is, Azad’s portions. At times, he used to play Vikram Rathore. If he’s playing Vikram, I would be performing the role of Azad and vice versa.”
Prashant then praised Vijay Sethupathi, “Vijay Sethupathi ji would deliver dialogues in Tamil. He would then memorize dialogues in Hindi and deliver the lines. However, at times, the energy or feel would be less than what it was when he said the lines in Tamil. He used to ask Shah Rukh bhai constantly, ‘Is this okay? Better?’. Shah Rukh bhai would reply, ‘Yes, better than the previous shot’. This would lead to a lot of retakes.”
He continued, “The scene where he’s about to shoot Vikram Rathore just before the latter gets his memory, everyone on the set, comprising 1000-1500 people, clapped after Vijay Sethupathi ji delivered the lines in Hindi. His secretary was well-versed in the language. She used to categorically tell him if the Hindi dialogues weren’t delivered properly by him. Though he had got claps, he still went for a retake (after she gave her feedback). In the previous take, he had given 40% energy. In the next take, he gave more than 100% energy. Shah Rukh then felt that even he should perform energetically. Atlee sir, however, told him that it’s not needed as per the scene and his Azad character. Atlee sir also told me to stand in one shot opposite Vijay Sethupathi ji. It was a lot of fun.”
Finally, Prashant Walde is content that Jawan has worked big time, “We are a very small part of the film. But I am happy to see that Jawan is so well received. Itni mehnat karne ke baad upar waale ne fal de diya! Also with Gadar 2 and many other films also doing well, the industry will benefit immensely. So many people will get work.”
As for what next, he replied, “After Pathaan and Jawan, I am sure Shah Rukh bhai’s next Dunki will also be a blockbuster!”
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Also Read: Shah Rukh Khan responds to Anand Mahindra after he calls Jawan star a “natural resource”: “I keep trying in my small humble way to make our country proud in terms of making cinema”
