Shahid Kapoor and Amrita Rao-starrer ‘Vivah’ has completed 15 years. The family drama was released in 2006. Recalling the best memories and challenges she faced while shooting the film Amrita said that “Vivah is the Mughal-e-Azam and Hum Aapke Hain Kaun of my career.”
Directed by Sooraj R. Barjatya Vivah revolves around a young couple Poonam and Prem played by Amrita and Shahid.
Revealing the most challenging part of shooting the film, Amrita said “Amongst the several precious memories, shooting for the climax of ‘Vivah’ where Poonam gets burnt was very challenging. Not only did we visit a few hospitals that specialise in burn injuries, to understand the reality of a third-degree burns patients’ trauma but we also had a doctor for advice on the set. The most difficult part was to keep the consistency and the emotional graph especially when the same scene had to be cut and shot from several angles. And then image dubbing and recreating all those emotions exactly! It was certainly challenging.”
The on-screen chemistry of Amrita and Shahid was loved by the audience after the film was released. Amrita said they shared a very sweet and warm relationship with each other on the sets of the film and that is what has translated on-screen. “We have seen each other grow as actors. We have helped each other through scenes by just being patient and understanding. We were never friends who hung out but for us it’s like the same equation you have with schoolmates even if you connect after years you start from where you left,” she quoted.
‘Vivah’ also had Samir Soni, Alok Nath, Anupam Kher, and Manoj Joshi in major roles. The film earned Rs 222 crore at the box office in India and was declared a blockbuster. Amrita who was too young when the film was released couldn’t understand the business of cinema and only went with the flow. After 15 years, looking back on how life changed post the release of the film, Amrita says, “I was only 19 when ‘Vivah’ was released. I think the best part about my journey has been that these wonderful films chose me and that I did not have to go knocking on doors for work. The best of the offers came and I have always had the privilege of choosing the work that I was comfortable associating with.”
She further added, “Vivah is my ‘Mughal-e-Azam’, it’s my Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, My Sound Of Music! It’s that one film that becomes your larger identity. Not every actress is blessed to have such classic films in their kitty. In fact, ‘Vivah’ historically also becomes the last silver jubilee in the theatres which is only a dream today! This film continues to grow bigger with time.”
