When Salman’s punch landed on Sonu’s nose

The Salman Khan starrer Dabangg (2010) turns seven today. It was undoubtedly a film, which brought back the single screen audience to the theatres in hordes. Salman was paired opposite debutant Sonakshi Sinha, for whom it was a dream launch.

Actor Sonu Sood, who played the role of the antagonist Chedi Singh reveals that he had initially rejected the film. And only agreed to come on board after getting some changes done to the script — when the makers agreed to give a humourous twist to his sturdy and raucous character.

He says “I suggested that we should bring a comedy element to this man, who always carries a photographer along with him saying ‘Bhaiyyaji Smile!’”

He narrates the story behind how the photographer element came into place. “My character is heavily inspired by my batchmates when I was pursuing engineering. (Bet you didn’t know Sonu is a graduate in electronics engineering!) I used to live in a hostel with Bihari roommates. They used to be very excited to get their pictures clicked, and since there weren’t any mobiles phones then, they used to have a photographer accompany them everywhere. My character’s personality and the photographer were incorporated into Dabangg.”

He reveals during the shooting of climax scene, “Salman accidentally used too much force, and the punch landed straight on my nose! There was so much bleeding, and I was rushed to the hospital, where there was no electricity. I finally shot for 5-6 days more with that broken nose”, he laughs.

PHOTO: RAAJESSH KASHYAP/HT A still from the 2010 blockbuster Dabangg