It’s raining but artificially in the scenic locales of Khandala. The locals are avidly watching the antics of wet, wet lovers, Amisha Patel and Bobby Deol. The security are having a hard time keeping the gawking mob from getting too close to the actors. The sun is flirting with the clouds which in turn are kissing the mountains. It’s a fine setting indeed for Venus Films’ forthcoming Humraaz, a love-triangle reportedly inspired by the Holywood hit, A Perfect Murder and directed by thriller maestros Abbas-Mustan.

Sitting cosily under a wood and canvass windmill, choreographer Raju Khan coaxes the shivering couple to get more enthusiastic about their act. Amisha quickly gets into the spirit of the things and lip synces two stanzas of the catchy ‘Bhool na jaana...’. The song is already a craze. Raju is about to holler “Cut” when along comes a sneeze and we are back to square one. Bobby heroically offers his handkerchief. Amisha, more practically, calls for a break and is instanly bundled up in housecoats and towels by her make-up man.

After several retakes, the shot is finally canned. By the time the rain god has lost his patience and lets out a downpour. Everbody, commoners and stars alike, scamper for shelter.

That evening Bobby, though exhausted, is all set to drive back to aamchi Mumbai. It’s son Aryamaan’s birthday the next day and the proud papa is all agog to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to his little prince who’ll be completing a year. With the press meet and all that jazz, he only gets to leave close to midnight. Producer Ratan Jain springs a surprise by getting out a birthday cake. We all sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to the toddler over the mobile and after cutting the cake, a jubliant Bobby leaves for the long ride home.

Next day the venue shifts to a makeshift bridge across a not-so-deep chasm over a waterfall(again artificial). This time it is Akshaye Khanna who romances Amisha. The lovers, all dressed in black, sway towads each other from different corners of the bridge. Only to be halted by Raju Khan. After some wide angle shots, they are finally allowed a close-up embrace.

Soon, it is pack-up time for the scribe-tribe too. We bid heartfelt adieu to Mumbai’s own little Nainital and head back to the madding crowds.

Devesh Sharma