This weekend, six police-boats chased a large junk ship and several boats swirled around Victoria Harbor in a flurry of lights and sirens. A goateed man was saved from drowning as another jumped in to rescue him. A drug bust or a refugee boat capsize?
Neither! Just the climax of the Indian comedy “Phir Dhamaal” [More Fun] went underway off Wanchai and Central pier as an all ensemble cast of Indian actors Ashish Chowdhry, Arshad Warsi, Javed Jaffery, Kangna Renaut and Ritesh Deshmukh hit Hong Kong.
Director Indra Kumar, along with film producer Ashok Thakeria, and a film crew of 80 members from the largest film industry in the world – Bollywood - have been in the city for the past week shooting the finale of their upcoming summer release “Phir Dhamaal”, a sequel to its 2007 predecessor “Dhamaal”[Fun].
Said actor Ashish Choudhry, “It’s been the most hectic week of our life and working in Hong Kong has been brilliant. The weather was really good to us this week!”
Actor Ritesh Deshmukh chimed in, “It’s been really tiring, we shot from 10am till 4am the following day for the last scene, a few hours sleep and we’re off to Mumbai to shoot three of the songs that are left.”
Comedian Arshad Warsi has the unpleasant task of jumping off the pier in Wan Chai into Victoria Harbour, “The water was ok,” he said of his big rescue scene in the film. “I was given loads of warnings beforehand of the pollution and I did see some garbage floating around. When I land in Mumbai I’m going to pop every pill to boost my immune system. There’s no business like show business.”
Said one of the Hong Kong film crew, “When Batman [The Dark Knight] was shot here [in 2009], the water didn’t pass muster with the insurance company as they found too much bacteria in the harbour. So they cancelled those scenes.”
Was the Indian film crew similarly insured up?
“We had a dingy boat on standby. That’s about it,” said Deshmukh without a hint of worry. “Besides, stomach of steel dude. We’re all ok,” he said. “So far.”
Cast of Phir Dhamaal in Hong Kong. Shoot with the uber cool Ike. Above pics by me!
Indian actors Arshad Warsi (boat!), Ritesh Deshmukh (blue denims) and Ashish Chowdhary (brown shirt). Director Indra Kumar (last shot in black T).
Many thanks to the rockin' ladies of Jade Group!
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