Anurag Kashyap casts Amitabh Bachchan’s gatekeeper in Bombay Talkies

Anurag Kashyap belongs to the new brigade of Bollywood filmmakers who like keeping their films real. He seems to be following the same principle with his segment in the multi-director film, Bombay Talkies.

Anurag Kashyap belongs to the new brigade of Bollywood filmmakers who like keeping their films real. He seems to be following the same principle with his segment in the multi-director film, Bombay Talkies. So, in his short film, we will not just see Amitabh Bachchan, but also the security guard who mans the gate of the star’s Juhu bungalow, Pratiksha.

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A source says, “Anurag’s story revolves around a guy who wants to meet Amitabh Bachchan, as he’s a big fan of the star. He lands up outside Bachchan’s house every day to try and catch a glimpse of the star. And while trying to get closer to the house, the guard at the gate and the fan manage to interact.” It seems Anurag did not want a professional actor to do this role. So he spoke to Bachchan and sought his permission to let him cast his real security guard in the film. Bachchan agreed, and as a result, the guard will now make his acting debut.

The film has been shot at various locations, including Pratiksha, which plays a crucial part in the story. Bachchan also allowed Anurag to shoot certain parts of the film inside his residence.

Producer Ashi Dua confirms the news, saying, “Anurag was keen to keep everything around Pratiksha real. When we requested Mr Bachchan to allow his guard to play himself in the film too, he was happy with it.”

At the launch of the trailer of Bombay Talkies, Anurag had said, “The occasion to make this film is 100 years of cinema, but Bombay Talkies is mainly about the impact cinema has in our everyday lives and how it is part of an Indian fan’s life.”

Bombay Talkies is comprised of four short films by directors Karan Johar, Zoya Akhtar, Dibakar Banerjee and Anurag Kashyap. It releases on May 3.