Raja Shivaji actor Disha Pardeshi recalls 12-hour grueling underwater shoot: No AI, VFX
Raja Shivaji actor Disha Pardeshi recalls filming a physically demanding 12-hour underwater scene without the use of a body double. He also shared that the scene was shot without AI or VFX, making it a completely real performance.
Raja Shivaji Actress Disha Pardeshi has revealed about the challenging underwater scene shot for the film, remembering the grueling 12-hour shoot. The actor revealed that the scene was done without a body double and without the use of AI or VFX, making it an entirely practical and physically demanding performance.
Disha plays one of Afzal Khan’s wives in the film, and a key scene shows her character being strangled and thrown into water. He said that when he was cast he was not aware of how intense the underwater shoot would be.
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in an interview with zoomDisha told that the casting director first asked her if she knew how to swim. Not knowing the full scale of the scene, she said she was comfortable working underwater.
The actress said that although death scenes are usually easy to do, doing it underwater was a new experience for her. She told that usually a drowning person tries to come up for air, but in this scene she had to act as if she was drowning under water.
To prepare for the challenging sequence, Disha underwent intensive underwater training and practiced for long periods under controlled conditions.
“A dedicated team ensured that we could perform underwater without oxygen masks. We did 12-hour shifts and stayed underwater to rehearse. It was scary because after all, it is water. Unfortunately, it was raining continuously on the day of the shoot. During the shoot, I was underwater and after coming out it was raining. It was tough, but adventurous. I learned a lot during the sequence,” said the actor.
He also talked about being given the option of a body double for the high-risk moment, but he chose to do it himself.
“Just before the cameras rolled, Ritesh sir came to me and asked if I could jump into the well from a height of 10 to 12 feet. He said body doubles were ready if I was not comfortable. When your director is approachable and helpful, shooting challenging scenes becomes less stressful. His trust gave me confidence. We didn’t use duplicates, VFX and AI to create that scene.”
Afzal Khan, a historical Marathi film based on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s pledge of Swaraj, also explores the chapter with Sanjay Dutt playing the antagonist.
Apart from Riteish Deshmukh and Sanjay Dutt, the film also stars Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Bhagyashree and Genelia Deshmukh in lead roles. It also stars Salman Khan in a special cameo role.
Raja Shivaji Released globally on 1 May in Marathi, Hindi and Telugu.