Reel saved from X-ray damage

Bheja Fry 2, whose release date is just around the corner, wouldn’t have seen light of day had someone in the unit of the film not been intelligent and a quick-thinking type.

Bheja Fry 2, whose release date is just around the corner, wouldn’t have seen light of day had someone in the unit of the film not been intelligent and a quick-thinking type.

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The film, a sequel to the sleeper hit, Bheja Fry by Sagar Bellary, was to be shot on a cruise liner at Bintan, Indonesia without a break. The reels of the film that were shot in India were being transported to Singapore from where it was to be carried to Indonesia in a suitcase. As per airport regulations internationally, the baggage has to be taken through the X-ray machine before it gets loaded on to an aircraft.

Moments before the aforementioned suitcase was loaded on to the X-ray machine’s conveyor belt, a unit member realised that if the reels went under the scanner, they would get completely destroyed and whatever was filmed so far would be lost. It also meant reshooting the portion of the film that was shot in India.

Drama followed when the unit of the film tried to explain to the airport officials that what they were asking them to do would only end up ruining the reel, and adding to the work load. The officials didn’t seem the kind that would budge. So, the producer of Bheja Fry 2, Mukul Deora, was called. He made a few calls from the airport and finally had some of his influential friends coming to his rescue. They ensured that the bag wasn’t scanned and the reel not damaged.