Salman Khan and Chitrangda Singh’s upcoming film Maatrubhumi, previously titled Battle Of Galwan, is back in the news, just days after making headlines for its title change. This time, the speculation is over a possible delay following the passing of actor-singer Prashant Tamang, who played a significant role in the project.

According to an India Today report, the film was initially expected to hit theatres in early April. However, plans were reportedly disrupted after Prashant’s death in January this year. A source told them, “The team had a couple of planned schedules where Prashant had to shoot some really key scenes. With him gone, the team is absolutely in crisis.”

Director Apoorva Lakhia was unavailable for comment when we reached out. However, a member of the team dismissed the rumours, saying, “Please don’t believe the chatter doing the rounds. This is not true.”

We also learn that the film’s team has been instructed to remain tight-lipped about further developments. The story will revolve around the 2020 clashes between India and China.

On March 16, fans were surprised when Salman Khan announced the new title, Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace, for his upcoming war drama that was previously christened Battle Of Galwan. The tonal shift in the name was hard to miss. Well, a bit of digging revealed that the title isn’t the only change in Apoorva Lakhia’s directorial venture that chronicles the 2020 India-China military clash in the Galwan Valley. mid-day has learnt that about 40 days of reshoot is underway, and the makers will include a Chinese song.

Khan’s movie, which has the superstar step into the shoes of late Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu, had rolled in September 2025 in Ladakh and was nearing completion by mid-December.

A source, however, told us, “Since February 2026, Apoorva and Salman have been reshooting chunks of the film in Mumbai. They are adding new scenes, and are looking at almost 40 days of work. They are also planning to film a Chinese song that will be composed by Himesh Reshammiya. Salman will shoot the number as soon as it has been finalized and recorded.”

What’s brought on these changes? Apparently, it is driven by the current Indo-China relations that are going through a cautious, tactical thaw.

The source added, “There has been an easing of the hostilities between the two countries. In the middle of this complex dynamic, a movie like Battle Of Galwan that focused on the 2020 clash could have impacted the fragile relationship. So, Salman and Apoorva brainstormed and decided to incorporate messages of peace, harmony, and the futility of war in the narrative.”

Actor Salman Khan surprised fans on Monday with the announcement that his upcoming film Battle Of Galwan has been retitled Maatrubhumi. Speaking to us, director Apoorva Lakhia insists that the change was not sudden.

“It may feel sudden to SK sir’s fans, but it was never an overnight decision. From the start, we had registered both titles. As we went through the journey of making the film, we realised it was never just about a battle,” he says.

The film, co-starring Chitrangda Singh, is based on the 2020 conflict between India and China in the Galwan Valley. Its teaser courted controversy last month, when China’s state-backed media accused it of ‘distorting facts’.

Lakhia says that the new title reflects the emotional core of the story. “Its about humanity, empathy and the silent battles our soldiers fight. Maatrubhumi: May War Rest In Peace captures that emotion and sacrifice far more truthfully,” he says, adding, “There is a song in the film by the same name, and the love it has received from audiences made the title feel even more right.”

While trade circles are abuzz with speculation that Battle Of Galwan may miss its Eid release, Salman Khan and director Apoorva Lakhia are going full throttle. The team has begun shooting a special dance number from February 6, with Shabinaa Khan as the choreographer.

An insider told us, “It’s a celebratory song. The unit is currently filming in Gorai, after which they will move to a set that has been constructed at Golden Tobacco in Vile Parle.” After the number is wrapped by February 12, only a two-week shoot will remain of the war drama that chronicles the 2020 military clash that took place between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley.

About the movie missing its April 17 release date, the insider said, “It’s all speculation stemming from talk that the film may need a clearance from the Ministry of Defence. The makers are aiming for an Eid release. If they are unable to meet it, they’ll line it up for Independence Day.”

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; December 8, 2025)

When Salman Khan turns 60 on December 27, it’s the superstar’s fans who will receive the birthday gift. Sources close to the production have told mid-day that Battle of Galwan’s first look will be unveiled on the actor’s big day. The Apoorva Lakhia-directed war drama is currently in post-production, with multiple departments working simultaneously to complete the first promotional asset.

Chronicling the 2020 clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley, the film sees Khan as Colonel B Santosh Babu, the commanding officer of the 16 Bihar Regiment. A source reveals, “Though it’s a war drama, the first look won’t be cut as an action-driven piece. It will be more about positioning the world and introducing the film’s visual language.”

Battle of Galwan, which went on floors in August, has been shot extensively in Ladakh and was wrapped up over the weekend in Mumbai. While speculation suggested that the movie — also starring Chitrangda Singh — would miss its Eid 2026 date, now sources indicate that Khan and Lakhia may be able to meet the March deadline.

In September, Salman Khan kicked off the shoot of his ambitious war drama, Battle Of Galwan, in Ladakh. A month and a schedule later, the unit began the Mumbai leg of Apoorva Lakhia’s directorial venture on October 10. mid-day has learnt that the superstar is currently filming one of the most significant song sequences at Royal Palms in Goregaon. According to a production insider, the track is “a rousing military anthem with a deep emotional core.”

Lakhia is said to have designed the sequence more as a narrative centrepiece than a traditional song. The insider shared, “It’s not a celebratory number. The mood is patriotic and the song reflects the pride, sacrifice, and pain of the soldiers. Salman and the director were clear that it should feel organic to the story.”

Battle Of Galwan will chronicle the India-China military clash that took place in June 2020, with Khan stepping into the role of Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu. Choreographer Mudassar Khan, known for his long association with Salman on films like Dabangg (2010) and Ready (2011), is designing the song that features over 60 background artistes.

Given the theme, he is focusing more on the soldiers’ emotions than dance. The source added, “Filming will continue through the week.”

August was meant to be go-time for Salman Khan’s Battle Of Galwan. In July, mid-day had reported that an elaborate set was being built at Mehboob Studios in Bandra for the first leg of Apoorva Lakhia’s directorial venture (Cameras ready for action, July 20). However, the plans have changed at the last minute. It has been learnt that the war drama’s Mumbai schedule has been called off, and the project will now roll in Ladakh between August 22 and September 3.

The decision apparently has to do with continuity concerns, among other things. An insider says, “It’s a creative decision. The makers want to start directly with the action scenes. Also, Salman sports a distinct look, and for continuity purposes, there couldn’t have been a 30-day gap between the Mumbai and Ladakh stints. Apoorva felt that the sequences would need to be shot in succession. So, for now, the film’s Mumbai schedule is postponed indefinitely. They will take a call in the last leg whether a song sequence or patch work needs to be done in the city.” The dismantling of the Bandra set has begun, adds the insider.

Battle Of Galwan will chronicle the India-China military clash that took place in June 2020, with Khan stepping into the shoes of Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu. While rumours suggest that the film has hit a roadblock with the Ministry of Defence due to its subject, the source denies it, stating, “The film is about a soldier’s bravery. It’s not villainising another country. The makers wouldn’t have announced the film without permissions in place.”

Salman Khan plays Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu in ‘Battle Of Galwan’. The soldier was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra in 2021.

For Salman Khan fans, Eid isn’t quite complete without a big-screen date with the superstar. His next, the Battle Of Galwan, was said to be an Eid al-Fitr 2026 release. However, trade sources now reveal that Khan, who is producing the movie, and director Apoorva Lakhia are steering clear of the March slot, instead eyeing a May-end release, coinciding with Bakri Eid.

Sources say the reason for the delay, even before the war drama has gone on floors, is its “logistical complexity”. A trade insider reveals, “Battle Of Galwan is a war film mounted on a big scale. Shooting in the high altitudes of Ladakh is anyway challenging; it will only be compounded by the film’s scale and the elaborate action set-pieces. Eid is mid-March next year. The team doesn’t want to rush the shoot or post-production just to meet that deadline.”

For now, the makers are only focusing on the shoot, which will bring to the screen the 2020 India-China clash that took place in Ladakh. Lakhia is expected to call action on it tentatively in August and will work towards a Bakri Eid release.

A source in the distribution circuit tells us, “Bakri Eid, which falls on May 27 next year, is a realistic option. If the film doesn’t make it in time, the Independence Day weekend is their second choice. The team has already begun informal talks with exhibitors. The window was initially booked by Kartik Aaryan’s Naagzilla, which is yet to get into production.”

The final release date will be locked only by December-end.

Portraying a jawan on screen entails intense preparation. Salman Khan is finding that out, having dived into the prep for his next with director Apoorva Lakhia. In the yet-untitled war drama, Khan steps into the shoes of late Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu, the commanding officer of the 16 Bihar Regiment, who was killed during the India-China Galwan Valley clash in June 2020. mid-day has learnt that the superstar kicked off his physical training from early June, focusing on two areas — general fitness, and high altitude acclimatization. And who is training him? Well, Khan himself.

That’s not surprising considering the superstar has been a fitness enthusiast for decades. A source reveals,

“Salman has refurbished his two gyms — a sprawling one at his Khandala farmhouse, and a smaller one at his Bandra apartment — to suit the current requirements. He trains for four hours daily and is undergoing circuit training focusing on different muscle groups. The exercises are designed to build strength, endurance, and cardiovascular improvement, the latter being important for high-altitude travellers.”

Lakhia has apparently slotted a look test for early July, and the first schedule for August. In the window between the two, the leading man will begin altitude training as a chunk of the film will be shot in Ladakh.

The source adds, “The training includes periodically exposing the body to higher altitudes, thus giving it time to adjust to the lower oxygen level. Oxygen saturation level can be achieved at home through altitude simulation tents, chambers, or hypoxic masks. Salman may join an altitude training studio because at 59, he needs to be fighting fit to shoot combat sequences in Ladakh.”

It takes immense courage to lay down one’s life for the country — and extreme caution to retell the story of a war hero. Salman Khan, who had been scouting for stories to take up after AR Murugadoss’s Sikandar, has finally locked in a script that resonated with him. Set to be directed by Apoorva Lakhia, Khan’s next film is based on a chapter about Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu from the book India’s Most Fearless 3 (2022), authored by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh. The writers — currently covering the recent India–Pakistan conflict, Operation Sindoor, and the subsequent ceasefire — are recognized experts in defence, military, and security reportage.

Colonel Babu, who led the 16 Bihar Regiment during the 2020 Galwan clash, was martyred while confronting Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley region of Ladakh on June 14, 2020. He was among the Indian soldiers to have been killed in action against the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). In 2021, he was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India’s second-highest wartime gallantry honour.

“Colonel Babu’s character is heroic. He had proved his mettle in several counter-insurgency and infiltration operations. The director has acquired the rights to the first chapter called I Had Never Seen Such Fierce Fighting — The Galwan clash of June 2020. It is a first-hand account of the 2020 clash at the Galwan Valley. The story-screenplay has been adapted for the film by Suresh Nair in association with Chintan Gandhi and Chintan Shah, with the latter also penning the dialogues,” says a source close to the project.

The chapter captures how Indian soldiers, though vastly outnumbered, bravely defended their territory against the well-trained PLA troops.

The film is scheduled to go on floors in the second week of July, with a start-to-finish schedule of 70 days across Mumbai and Ladakh. “Salman loved the story and will begin his [military] prep from the end of May. He has already begun physical training for his role at his farmhouse in Panvel,” adds the source. Apart from Khan, the film will feature three younger actors in prominent roles.

According to reports, on June 14, 2020, Chinese troops erected tents and an observation post on the LAC (Line of Actual Control), flouting a mutual agreement between India and China. Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu attempted to initiate dialogue with the Chinese troops, but the situation escalated into a violent melee, resulting in casualties and injuries on both sides. Despite sustaining severe head injuries, Colonel Babu led from the front until his final breath — inspiring his troops to hold their ground. He succumbed to his injuries, reportedly along with 20 other Indian soldiers. His body was cremated with full military honours on June 18, 2020.

Vatsal Sheth, known for TV shows like Just Mohabbat and films like Taarzan: The Wonder Car, is in Ahmedabad currently to dub for his debut Gujarati film. As he stepped out with us for an Uttarayan shoot, he told us, “While Vaayu (his son) is just five-and-a-half months old, I have bought small kites and firkis for him on this trip. They are really cute and since it’s his first Uttarayan, this is the best gift that I could think of for him. I am sure that once he grows up, he would love to fly kites, just like his dad!” Excerpts from a chat:

I feel lucky to be in Ahmedabad this Uttarayan and I will be flying kites at my friend’s (filmmaker Apoorva Lakhia) pol house in the city. Nothing can match the way Uttarayan is celebrated in the pols. Last year, I travelled to Bhavnagar, where I have a few relatives, just to fly kites with them. Uttarayan is among my favourite festivals and I think it’s (flying kites) is in every Gujarati’s blood!

I have celebrated Uttarayan in Ahmedabad earlier also and once, Ishita (Dutta Sheth, his actress-wife) had also tried her hand at flying kites. Earlier, she used to think that flying kites is easy; lekin uss ne 20 patang udaane ki koshish ki, and she was finding it difficult. Then I helped her in flying one kite, lekin woh bhi do second mein kat gayi! She realized that it’s not easy and one has to be very alert and aware while flying kites.

Even if I am shooting during Uttarayan, I make sure to carry kites and firkis to the sets. While doing the show Haasil, Zayed Khan and I had flown kites together on the sets. I have also celebrated the festival in Madh Island while shooting for other TV shows.

I was born and brought up in Mumbai and although Uttarayan celebrations there can’t match the way it is celebrated in Gujarat, we used to have a lot of fun. About three or four days before the festival, we would visit the kite markets and buy kites. My friends and cousins buy kites and manjha for me from Surat, which are of great quality.

The quality of kites and manjha is crucial when you are looking forward to flying kites for the entire day. The preparation also involved buying tapes and finger protection gloves.

Just the night before Uttarayan, all the friends would get together. Hum agarbatti se kites mein holes karte thay, aur phir kinya bandhte thay. From the next morning, we would be on the terrace for the entire day and woh pench ladane mein jo maza hai, that can’t be described in words. We would also shout ‘lapet’ and ‘kai po che’ at the top of our voice.

Raat ko hum kandeel bhi udate thay, and there would be competitions for that. Uttarayan is also about relishing homemade delicacies. My mom makes amazing chikkis (til chikkis, peanut chikkis and murmura chikkis) and I love gorging on undhiyu and chikkis. She also makes delicious aadu paak (adrak ka halwa). I also love eating mathiya and cholafali.

Injuries are a given when shooting for any action-packed project, but Freddy Daruwala didn’t expect the situation to get out of hand as he canned a crucial stunt for the second season of Crackdown on Jio Cinema. The actor had to do pull-ups under a bridge while a drone was set to capture his movements.

At sub-zero temperature in Kashmir, a bare-chested Daruwala finished the shot with ease, but by the end of the shoot, his hands were frozen. Before he could be pulled up, the actor fell into the freezing water from a height of 35 feet.

Originally, director Apoorva Lakhia had decided to shoot the sequence in a studio, keeping in mind Daruwala’s safety, but the actor insisted on doing his stunts in real time and on location.

“I should have been more careful. Apoorva informed me about the possibilities of [accidents and wanted to use] a safety harness to execute the scene. But I insisted on doing it on my own,” said the actor, who sustained injuries to his back, legs, and shoulders.

While his injuries were not life-threatening, Lakhia immediately called off the shoot. After a day’s rest, Daruwala resumed the shoot. “Since it wasn’t the last day of the shoot, had I been hurt, the shoot would have stalled. The next day, I faced a lot of difficulties due to severe back injuries,” he said, adding that he regrets his impulsive decision to shoot the scene himself.

“Sometimes, an actor gets carried away in the name of realism. We forget that there are a lot of people associated with a project, and if any unfortunate incident were to happen on the set, the shoot could get hampered. Going ahead, I will ensure that I play it safe so that I don’t hurt myself or others.”

Waluscha De Sousa has been facing the camera for decades as a successful model. But her transition from modelling to acting has not been easy. From making her acting debut with Fan (2016) to her web debut with Crackdown, De Sousa is happy to explore distinct roles as she works towards gaining a foothold in the industry. In a chat with mid-day, she discusses the highs and lows of showbiz, and why she picked up Disney+ Hotstar’s latest series, Escaype Live.

Edited excerpts from the interview.

My acting debut was with Fan [2016]. Despite it coming from a huge production house and featuring a superstar, the audience didn’t accept the film. Post that, the work that came my way didn’t excite me. The roles usually didn’t have anything for me to display as an actor. So, I took a sabbatical. Fortunately, the digital space opened up by then. I made my OTT debut with Crackdown [2020]. I don’t think viewers expected me to play such a role. I took a gamble, and it paid off.

Prior to Crackdown, it was difficult to stay true to who I am. I had my fair share of being told that things are not going to work out for me. But all I needed was an opportunity. I never shied away from auditioning for roles. There were preconceived notions, ‘Oh, she was a model’, ‘She is a gori’ and so on. They never bothered to ask me where I was born and brought up. Sometimes, I walk into a meeting, and they ask me if I can converse in Hindi. Fighting these preconceived notions is exhausting.

100 per cent. The roles were all about being glamorous or someone’s arm candy. I knew what I had to offer as an actor. I have to thank Apoorva Lakhia [director] for taking that chance with me and giving me Garima Kalra [her character in Crackdown], which displayed my potential.

I was aware that casting for the social thriller was going on. Director Siddharth Kumar Tewary called me [for the narration]. It was a new concept, [tackling] a scenario we are all facing in our relationship with social media. My character Gia Bose is someone who calls the shots, and is a woman in a man’s world. I wanted to play someone in charge, which is so unlike me in real life. I am quiet and reserved, but it was nice to call the shots on the set. At one point, my co-stars asked me if I am going to keep ordering them around [even when the cameras aren’t rolling].

I am a private person. I don’t have a social media game, and don’t think much when I’m putting out a post. They are usually related to my work. There are actors who are good at juggling acting and being active on social media. But I want to [demarcate whether] I am an influencer or an actor. I prefer to stay relevant with my work rather than my social media posts.

A lot of apps have an age restriction, but there needs to be a better [distinction than age]. In the past three years, our relationship with social media has intensified. There was nothing else to do besides be online during the lockdown. The unfortunate part is even schools went online. Whether you liked it or not, your child had to have a phone, and laptop. I remember calling my grandmother on Zoom, something she has never done in her life.

Unlike many other star kids, Shraddha Kapoor didn't enjoy a big launch in Bollywood. Though she made her debut in 2010 (Teen Patti), it was only with Aashiqui 2 (2013) that she tasted success. However, since then, the actress has been slowly and steadi ly making inroads into the industry. With her first ever attempt at a biopic, Haseena Parkar, all set to hit screens and another one on Saina Nehwal in the pipeline, Shraddha is living her childhood dream of being a Bollywood heroine. Excerpts from her conversation with BT...

You are playing the title role in Haseena Parkar, a biopic on the mafia queen, who was Dawood Ibrahim's sister. What intrigued you about her character?
When Apoorva Lakhia (director) narrated the story of Haseena Parkar, I was amazed that it was a true story. I couldn't even imagine dealing with the kind of losses she has experienced in her life. Essaying a complex character like her has been an emotionally-draining experience. After the trailer released, many people told me that they were not expecting me to play a character like this. So, if the film is appreciated, it would mean a lot to me because it is different from what I have done so far.

The gangster saga in Bollywood has essentially been about male underworld figures. When it comes to leading ladies playing a female don, the examples are few and far between. Where did you draw your references from?
To understand the quiet confidence that Haseena gains on becoming Aapa, I borrowed some inspiration from The Godfather. However, the main driving force was her own experience and how it all shaped her.

As an actor, do you submit to the director's vision or do you also bring a lot to the table in terms of fleshing out a character?
As an actor, you are living out the director's vision. He tells you how he sees the character and how he expects you to breathe life into it. Though I give my inputs too, every film and director is different, and I adapt myself to the way each filmmaker works. Talking about this film, Apoorva was like a bank of information; he had researched on the film for close to two years and had even interacted with Haseena before her death in 2014. During our interactions, I would listen intently and absorb everything that he was saying. I met her family as well. I tried to empathize with her character because in a way, her story is heartbreaking. I prepped a lot for the role, including putting on weight.

You have clearly come a long way since your first film. How much do you think you have grown as an actor since then?
I have changed a lot as an actor since my first film. Earlier, I used to think that I couldn't do many things; I had immense self-doubt. Though I have made a conscious effort to change that, I think I will always be a little doubtful about my performances because that is who I am.

It's an exciting time for actresses. Though there have been films which were shouldered by female protagonists in the past as well, their numbers have gone up significantly now. What is your view?
It doesn't matter whether films are male or female-centric, people want to watch content-driven movies. Queen, Mary Kom and Neerja received the appreciation they did because of their stories. Also, these films were inspiring.

You're the quintessential Bollywood insider. However, success didn't come easily to you. Your debut didn't do anything for your career and you had to wait till Aashiqui 2 for the tide to turn in your favour. Do you consider your journey to be a struggle despite being an industry kid?
I am proud that I am Shakti Kapoor's daughter. My father has done more than 700 films and the love and adulation that he has received is humbling. I have a long way to go before I achieve even a small percentage of that. Today, there are heated debates about star kids and outsiders, but a lot of people didn't even know that I had two releases before Aashiqui 2. There were also those who were unaware that I am Shakti Kapoor's daughter. Between my first film and Aashiqui 2, I have lost count of the screen tests and auditions that I appeared for. I have also lost count of the number of rejections that I faced. Even after Aashiqui 2, I had to audition for Haider. The point is, one has to work hard to get a film. There is no success formula that one can follow in the industry. Everyone's journey is different; they have had their struggles to overcome and I have had mine. However, when it's your childhood dream to be an actress, you somehow find the strength to fulfill it.

Your upcoming films include Saaho with Prabhas and the Saina Nehwal biopic. Did you choose these films because they let you to tap into unexplored aspects of yourself? Or were the stories irresistible?
When a film scares and excites me at the same time, I want to be a part of it; I get a kick out of it. When Saaho was offered to me, I was thrilled because I will be playing a cop for the first time. What was also challenging was the fact that I would be speaking in two languages, Telugu and Hindi. Talking about the Saina Nehwal biopic, preparations are on in full swing; I have already completed 33 sessions of training in badminton, with each session lasting two hours. For me, it's a huge responsibility to portray Saina on the big screen.

While your films are talked about, there is a lot of scrutiny on your personal life as well. How do you deal with it?
The scrutiny on my personal life doesn't affect me anymore. I don't read the papers or watch TV. I watch movies, documentaries and interesting videos on my laptop. I'm very clear about where my focus lies. I get involved with whatever I do and if something doesn't interest me, I won't even look in that direction.

A weak-looking character (not in terms of physique) is half the battle lost, or so believes makeup and hair expert Subhash Shinde, who helped Shraddha Kapoor metamorphose into Haseena Parkar while shooting the biopic on the dreaded female gang lord. He was also in-charge of transforming her brother, actor Siddhanth Kapoor into Haseena's brother, Dawood Ibrahim in director Apoorva Lakhia's biopic on one of Mumbai's most prominent mafia queens. It's co-produced by Haseena's cousin Sameer Antulay and Babu Tyagi, and produced by Nahid Khan.

“I went by the script and dug out pictures of Haseena and Dawood from the internet. The challenge was to make someone as delicate-looking as Shraddha to look like a woman who became a domineering gang leader after she was wronged on several levels. Her basic look had to transform from a 17-year-old girl to a 55-year-old woman who has seen struggle. With Siddhanth, it was a different challenge. I had to match his appearance with Dawood's. If he didn't come close to what Dawood looked like, his character wouldn't have made an impact. A biopic or a film based on real incidents needs actors to look as much like the people they play as possible,“ says Subhash Shinde, who has also worked on Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's get-up in Sarbjit.

Subhash worked on Shraddha's skin tone to make it look rough. As he added years to her appearance, he also made her skin look pigmented and dull in portions, something that commonly occurs in an individual's skin tone over the years. “Shraddha couldn't have had a peaches-and-cream complexion in the film because that's not what her character demands. I had someone sketch Shraddha and Siddhanth to get an idea of how they'd look with prosthetics. Then, I blended in colours to see which skin tone really suits them. And then, we got down to doing look tests. Apoorva was very involved; he saw to it that while shooting, we didn't just touch up faces but also hands and other parts of the body that are visible in a scene. Like Shraddha's face couldn't have looked 55 and hands, 25. I conducted just two look tests on Shraddha and Siddhanth because I had already tested all the appearances on other junior actors with similar features,“ recalls Subhash, adding that while it took two-three hours for the actors to get into hair and makeup, it took only 20 minutes for them to slip out of it.

As opposed to what is believed, the film hasn't been too big on the use of prosthetics. Siddhanth's double chin and Shraddha's swollen face are among the few areas where prosthetic make-up was introduced. “Shraddha and Siddhanth looked heavy with the help of padding beneath their clothes. We just had to do the needful for their face. Even when I was working with Aishwarya in Sarbjit, I used shading to give her face the requisite age. Too much use of prosthetics can make the look seem artificial. With films getting closer to reality, one has to be careful about this because it impacts the narrative,“ says Subhash.

Haseena Parkar, presented by Swiss Entertainment releases tomorrow.