Kamal Ghorui
A behind-the-scenes story from the making of Farhan Akhtar‘s 2004 war drama ‘Lakshya‘ is going viral, and it involves Amitabh Bachchan, a strict assistant director, and a nickname that says it all. Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap revealed what happened during the shooting of the critically acclaimed film.Anurag Kashyap says Amitabh Bachchan called Reema Kagti ‘Gurkha’When ‘Lakshya’ was in production, two names were enough to keep the entire unit in check, assistant directors Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar. Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, who recently spoke to The Lallantop, painted a vivid picture of the no-nonsense atmosphere they maintained on set, one where no actor, regardless of stature, was exempt from being pulled up for a delay.He revealed, “Zoya and Reema were so professional they would even scold Bachchan sir as well on the set of Lakshya,” Kashyap said. “They would say, ‘Sir, aapki set par zaoorat hai. Aap late kar rahe hain. (You’re needed on the set. You’re causing a delay.)'”Amitabh Bachchan is widely regarded as one of Bollywood’s most punctual stars, but Kashyap clarified that on-set discussions would occasionally cause minor delays, promptly met with firm reminders from the ADs.The disciplined approach clearly left an impression on the megastar. “That’s why Bachchan sir would call Reema ‘Gurkha’ from Gurkha regiment,” Kashyap revealed.For the unversed, the nickname, drawn from one of India’s most elite and disciplined military units, was clearly meant in good humor, a tribute to Kagti’s unwavering, soldierly approach to keeping the set running on time.More about ‘Lakshya’Directed by Farhan Akhtar and released in 2004, ‘Lakshya’ is a coming-of-age war drama about a directionless young man who discovers his purpose after enlisting in the Indian Army. The film remains a landmark in Hindi cinema for its emotional depth and authentic portrayal of military life.The film featured Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta, Amitabh Bachchan, Boman Irani, and more. It was released in cinemas on June 18, 2004.
