Renowned choreographer Vijay Ganguly recently opened up about the significant challenges he faced while choreographing a dance sequence for the highly anticipated ‘Stree 2’, starring Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor. The sequence, which featured the talented Tamannaah Bhatia, was filmed in Bhopal under extremely tough and chilling conditions, with temperatures plummeting to 5 degrees Celsius. This harrowing ordeal tested the mettle of everyone involved and showcased their remarkable dedication to the craft.
Casting light on the situation, Vijay Ganguly remarked, “The biggest challenge was that the song was shot at a live location. Director Amar Kaushik wanted the song to look real because the scene after the song plays in a real setting. However, the initial location we scouted wasn’t suitable enough for shooting a dance number with the vivacity and energy we desired.”
The initial complications didn’t deter the production team, and it was the production designer, Mayur Sharma, who transformed the place to fit the requirements. Vijay elaborated further, “Mayur Sharma stepped in and did a marvelous job. He transformed the place entirely. Our DOP, Jishnu, was incredible with the camera work, and Sheetal Sharma worked wonders with the costumes. Despite the lack of space for proper lighting, Jishnu lit the place beautifully, bringing the much-needed warmth and ambiance.”
The subplot of this challenging shoot involved not just the logistical constraints but also the physical endurance demanded from the performers. Tamannaah Bhatia, known for her elegance and grace on screen, performed in the biting cold. The background dancers, on the other hand, showcased extraordinary resilience by dancing without shoes or adequate clothing to shield against the freezing temperatures. “It was so cold we couldn’t even stand properly,” Vijay recounted. “We wore four jackets on set while the boys danced bare-chested and without shoes.
.” The team made provisions like arranging heaters and fires for the dancers to warm up after each shot.
Such dedication across all departments did not go unnoticed. Vijay reflected on the collective effort by stating, “The amount of hard work that has gone into this song from every department is mind-blowing. Not just us, but every department contributed immensely to make sure we pulled off this grand dance sequence.”
The unveiling of ‘Aaj Ki Raat’, the first song from the upcoming horror-comedy film ‘Stree 2’, took place in Mumbai on Wednesday evening. At the launch event, Tamannaah Bhatia and Shraddha Kapoor twinned in striking red outfits, grabbing the spotlight. While Tamannaah makes a guest appearance in the song, Shraddha Kapoor is set to reprise her enigmatic role from the 2018 hit ‘Stree’. Her return has already created a buzz among fans eager for the sequel’s release.
‘Stree 2’, produced by Dinesh Vijan, also boasts an ensemble cast with Pankaj Tripathi, Abhishek Banerjee, and Aparshakti Khurana adding their talents to the film. The movie, set to release in theaters on August 15th of this year, promises to deliver a blend of horror, comedy, and musical excellence.
The song ‘Aaj Ki Raat’ and Vijay Ganguly’s choreography in particular are anticipated with great excitement. Vijay’s creative input is expected to add a fresh and compelling element to the film’s musical narrative. For fans and followers, the snippet of Tamannaah’s performance in challenging conditions serves as a testament to the dedication and passion that goes into making a film as riveting as ‘Stree 2’.
Overall, despite enduring frosty conditions and logistical challenges, the experience and final product have left the crew and cast beaming with pride. The anticipation surrounding ‘Stree 2’ continues to build, with high hopes that it will live up to and possibly surpass the high standards set by its predecessor.
