Lucknow is treating me well: Sharman Joshi

Shooting for Angidev Chatterjee’s film Babloo Bachelor at Khajoorgaon Palace in Lucknow on Wednesday, actor Sharman Joshi looks relaxed. After a month-long shoot in hot and humid weather of Varanasi, the actor is feeling quite comfortable here.

“The city is treating me very well and above all the weather is very pleasant here,” he tells HT City after his first shot at Khajoorgaon Palace.

During the shoot he will be seen romancing ‘command’ girl Pooja Chopra and Marathi actor Tejashri Pradhan.

Talking about his new film he says, “It’s a romcom about a guy who wants to get married and somehow things are not working for him. Eventually, when things do workout then there are three women in his life from where he has to make a choice. That’s where the chaos and confusion starts.”

A lot of marriage based movies have been shot in Lucknow lately including forthcoming film ‘Shaadi Main Zaroor Aana’ and earlier this year ‘Baraat Company’. “I feel the rustic Indianness is something what everyone likes about UP - Varanasi, Lucknow and filmmakers get real locations and settings to shoot.”

Film’s director Agnidev Chatterjee, who has hit Bengali films Charuulata, 3 Kanya and Mrs Sen to his credit, tells HT City, “This is basically a romantic comedy set in Lucknow.

It depicts the struggle of the hero (Babloo) to find an ideal bride. We will be shooting the film in renowned havelis in and around the city, in one or two monuments and on streets of old Lucknow.”

The film’s shoot started on Wednesday as they shot behind Qaiserbagh Baradari before heading to the majestic Khajoorgaon Palace. The film also stars Asrani, Manoj Joshi, Rajesh Sharma, Sweety Wali and Raju Kher to name a few. A Rafat Film, it has Ajay Rajani as producer and has music by Jeet Ganguli.

Sharing his experience of shooting in Varanasi, Sharman says, “While you shoot it looks like a chaotic city but on camera and monitor it’s very beautiful. Small buildings, old historical monuments and ghaats, all looks superb on screen. Just as London looks magnificent from the camera eye, so is Varanasi. Except for heat it was divine. After my shoot here I will again be going to complete my film Kashi.”

A self-confessed foodie, he is looking forward to catch up with Awadhi delicacies during his two-week stay in the state capital. The remaining part of the film will be shot in Mumbai.

While you shoot it looks like a chaotic city but on camera it’s very beautiful. SHARMAN JOSHI, ACTOR

DHEERAJ DHAWAN/HT