Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3: Madhuri-Vidya’s ‘Ami Je Tomar’ 3.0 Was Shot Over 5 Days, Says Anees | Exclusive – News18

Last Updated:October 26, 2024, 03:10 IST

Anees Bazmee revealed that the entire set was ‘enamoured’ by both Vidya Balan and Madhuri Dixit Nene during the shooting of Ami Je Tomar 3.0.

Akshay Kumar starrer Bhool Bhulaiyaa that released in 2007 has achieved a cult following over the years. Dialogues and scenes from the film often make it to meme fests. But the one thing that remains truly etched in the minds of fans is the song, Ami Je Tomar, which saw Vidya Balan’s Manjulika time travelling and performing at the durbar of a king. The haunting melody based on Hindustani classical music was crooned by Shreya Ghoshal and MG Sreekumar and has aged like fine wine.

It was reprised in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 with Arijit Singh, Shreya and Tushar Joshi singing various renditions of it. And now, fans will get to experience yet another version of the track titled Ami Je Tomar 3.0 – also sung by Shreya – in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. The jugalbandi dance number features Vidya and Madhuri Dixit Nene, the new Manjulika, matching steps. It was unveiled yesterday (October 25) in Mumbai’s Royal Opera House amid much fanfare and has garnered a lot of attention from the audience.

In an exclusive chat with News18 Showsha, Anees Bazmee spills the beans on shooting for the elaborate number and the vibe on set on days of the shoot. “We shot the song over a span of five days. We had erected a huge set in Mumbai as it was a very special song. Everyone was so excited. Everyone on set was a fan of Vidya and Madhuri,” says the director, who’s awaiting the release of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 during this Diwali.

He goes on to reveal that every crew member was extremely star-struck by Vidya and Madhuri. “They’ve watched their work and have been enamoured by them for so many years that when the shoot was happening, I remember our light man holding the light, with his eyes fixated at them, unaware of what’s happening around. I was concerned if he was focusing enough on the lights because all his concentration was on the two of them (laughs),” he recalls.

Apart from the duo, Anees also lauds his technicians for bringing Ami Je Tomar 3.0 alive onscreen. “It was a beautiful experience filming it. They danced so gracefully and looked stunning. I can’t even begin to put the whole experience into words. Our DoP Manu Anand was very excited and passionate about the whole sequence. For days prior to the shoot, he kept coming up with different ideas as to how to shoot it and how the lighting should be,” he states.

Anees adds, “He worked very hard. He used to fight with me as well as he was very sure about what the exact colour of their outfits and ghungroos should be. He was a very involved technician. Apne kaam se bahot upar hatke, alag hoke, bahot kuch contribute kiya unhone. It wasn’t like, let’s just put a camera on and start shooting. He was ready to do anything for the film. He, in fact, also took his pillows and blanket to Red Chillies and slept there for days to keep a tab on the colour grading and the special effects.”