Actor to shoot for a hi-octane sequence for his trilingual with Kenny Bates, of Transformers and Armageddon fame
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 31, 2017)

Prabhas and his first Hindi film, Saaho, are all set to head to Abu Dhabi to shoot an extensive chase sequence over 15-20 days. Action choreographer Kenny Bates, who has worked on Hollywood hits like Transformers, Mission Impossible, Rush Hour and Armageddon, among others is the man in charge. The film is simultaneously being shot in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

A source from the film reveals, “The chase sequence with Prabhas is being shot on a grand scale and it will involve a lot of cars, trucks and other vehicles. It is an integral part of the narrative and has been in planning for a while now.”

The film’s spokesperson confirmed the news, saying, “Saaho is a futuristic action entertainer and Abu Dhabi is the perfect location for shooting some key chase sequences. The city’s skyscrapers make it the perfect backdrop for our schedule, the first of which was wrapped up in Hyderabad recently.”

The cast includes Shraddha Kapoor who is the leading lady, Neil Nitin Mukesh, the antagonist, along with Jackie Shroff, Mandira Bedi, Chunky Panday, Mahesh Manjrekar and Tinnu Anand. The high-octane action-drama went on the floors in August in Hyderabad.
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Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 31, 2017)

If cinephiles had assumed that South actor Prabhas had showcased his prowess as an action star with the much-acclaimed Baahubali, they will be happy to learn of what he has to offer in his next, Saaho. The multilingual film will apparently see Prabhas pull off a 20-minute chase sequence as he navigates the Burj Khalifa, among other destinations in Dubai. It’s touted as the longest chase sequence to feature in a Hindi film.

Hollywood action choreographer Kenny Bates, with films like Transformers (2007) and Die Hard (1988) to his credit, will train Prabhas for the Sujeeth-directed outing. The film’s spokesperson tells mid-day, “The sequence will involve the use of bikes, cars and trucks. UAE is known for its magnificent skyscrapers. Preparations are underway to make certain that the chase sequence looks like one among the most stylish ever created.”

Bates’s team, we hear, has told Prabhas to up his agility in order to navigate the route faster. “His physical preparation involves cardiovascular training, weight training, and plyometric obstacle races, all of which will help him pick up the moves easily,” a source says.

A source from the film’s stunt unit says, “The 20-minute chase sequence will primarily be shot in Dubai. Though permissions are yet to be procured, the producers wish to shoot a major chunk at the Khalifa. That will be followed by a week-long leg in Abu Dhabi.”

Should the makers fail to procure permission to film at the Khalifa, the shooting will take place at Abu Dhabi’s World Trade Center and Etihad Tower, the source says. The only other Bollywood film to have been shot at the Khalifa was Anees Bazmee’s Welcome Back (2015). A prelude to the chase sequence was filmed in Hyderabad in the last schedule, which wrapped up a few days ago. Given that Sujeeth hopes to retain continuity, shooting for this elaborate sequence will kick-off within two weeks.

In order to stay away from the glare of the paparazzi, an extended portion of the sequence will be filmed in remote sections of Abu Dhabi. “The backdrop will still be Dubai, but the makers may shoot in towns like Ras-Al-Khaimah, to minimize chances of a leak. Since it’s an outdoor shoot, it will be challenging for the makers to keep his look under wraps,” adds another source.

Saaho, which will be filmed in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil, pairs Prabhas with Shraddha Kapoor. It is being mounted on a budget of Rs 150 crore.