Sonup Sahadevan (MID-DAY; Nay 28, 2015)

It is unusual for directors to be not allowed on the location for the shoot of their own films. But it happened with Madhur Bhandarkar during the Mauritius schedule of Calendar Girls.

Says a source, “Satarupa Pyne, one of the lead actresses, had to wear a rope bikini and pose in front of two wild tigers in an exotic jungle. While the required permissions were granted, the chief of safari allowed not more than five people including the tigers’ caretaker for the shoot. So, Madhur decided to stay away while handing over the reigns to choreographer Ganesh Hegde and the director of photography (DoP) of the film. The only other person present was actor Rohit Roy who is essaying fashion photographer Atul Kasbekar’s role.”

As Satarupa posed amidst the ferocious snarls of the big cats, Madhur apparently watched the proceedings from a caged vehicle.

Madhur couldn’t be reached for a comment.