Filmmaker Recalls Harrowing Shoot of 'Lamhaa' in Conflict-Torn Kashmir 15 Years Ago

Fifteen years ago, in 2007, director Rahul Dholakia faced immense challenges while filming his movie 'Lamhaa' in the conflict-ridden region of Kashmir. The film, which starred an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Bipasha Basu, Kunal Kapoor, and Anupam Kher, was a testament to the director's resilience and the actors' bravery.

Dholakia recounts the first day of the shoot, when the entire crew was held hostage by a crowd of 8,000 to 10,000 people, who demanded to see the footage from the film. With no police or security forces to help, the director was locked up for four hours, surrounded by a thousand people in a room, while thousands more waited outside.

The challenges continued throughout the filming process. Dholakia had to shoot scenes in curfew conditions, facing disruptions from local protests that nearly turned into riots. The presence of big stars like Sanjay Dutt also caused a stir among the locals, forcing the crew to rush through their shots before the situation escalated.

Despite the constant threat of violence and the tense atmosphere, Dholakia and his team persevered. Actors like Bipasha Basu and Sanjay Dutt braved the dangerous conditions to help complete the film. The director recalls having to shoot Anupam Kher's scene in just three minutes and one take, as they never knew what might happen next.

Ultimately, the film's release was met with disappointment, as Lamhaa failed to find an audience. Dholakia attributes this to various factors, including the choppy narrative, weak marketing, and competition from other releases. However, the director remains proud of the film and the harrowing experiences he and his team endured to bring it to life.