Ajay Gehi, who is known for television shows like Miliee and Hero Gayab Mode On and movies like Maqbool, Raavan, Not a Love Story, and Ek Thi Begum, was a part of the 2010 film Raavan, which was directed by Mani Ratnam. Remembering the experience of working in the Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan starrer, he shared that it was both challenging and deeply rewarding.
Summing up his journey, he said, “The filming of Raavan was very difficult but fun. We used to wake up at 3 a.m. to get ready by 4 a.m. We would take about 3 hours to reach the forest where we would shoot.”
But he remembers the beauty of the location that made the effort worth it. “It was serene. The forest was really beautiful with a waterfall, mist, and very frequent rainbows right in front of you. We would pack up by sundown and take another 3 hours to reach our hotel,” he said.
Talking about the work environment, Ajay shared how the team dynamic balanced hard work with lighthearted moments. “Mani Ratnam is a tough taskmaster but a gentle person at heart, and a prankster like Abhishekh Bachchan would add to the fun,” he said.
Adding a personal memory, he said, “I remember once he cooked butter chicken for everyone.”
The camaraderie of the cast and crew is something he still treasures. “It was fun to work with everyone, including Aishwarya, Abhishekh, Mr. Ratnam, and Vikram Kenny. It was like going to do what you love with friends. I spent a lot of time shooting for the film and learned a lot about shot taking, direction, etc. Mani Ratnam is an extremely passionate person,” he added.
Ajay also recalled one of the most memorable moments from the shoot. “There was a pre climax scene where I and Raavan (Abhishek’s character) have a confrontation. The round trolly was set up a day in advance in the forest, the shoot time was next morning at 4 a.m to get the magic light (the sunrise). I feel proud that I was able to do the very difficult take with round trolly moving and my movements with quick dialogue in just one take,” he said.
He added, “It was actually one of the best scene in the film. In Mani sir’s words, ‘It’s like an action scene without it being an action scene. Mani sir applauded it and that has always stayed with me and motivates me whenever I do any difficult scene.”
