In a recent discussion during the Mani Ratnam retrospective at G5A Cinema House, Abhishek Bachchan shared a fascinating story about the making of his iconic film Guru, which was released in 2007. The actor recalled how his wife, Aishwarya Rai, had to come up with a creative solution to create a fat suit for him during the shoot.
Abhishek Bachchan Shares Aishwarya’s Fat Suit Story
While filming Guru, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai shared the screen for the first time, and their performances were much talked about. However, an unexpected challenge arose when director Mani Ratnam decided to shoot a song, even though the script required Abhishek’s character to be portrayed younger.
Abhishek recalled that, one evening, after being informed by Mani Ratnam and choreographer Brinda Gopal about a sudden change in plans, he was told to perform a song called Ek Lo Ek Muft with a “click track,” which was a rough version of the music. The song, composed by AR Rahman and sung by Bappi Lahiri, arrived on set unexpectedly.
To meet the requirements for the scene, Abhishek had to gain weight, which Mani Ratnam had instructed him to do two months earlier. To create the fat suit, Aishwarya and costume designer Ameira Punvani stitched blankets together and made the suit by hand. Abhishek humorously mentioned how his hair was altered with “shady gray stuff,” and Mani Ratnam asked him to shave his head for the scene.
Despite the challenges, Abhishek went on to perform to the click track, unsure of what would happen next. As the shooting progressed, the final music was ready, and Aishwarya began dancing in the sequence. Abhishek recalled the surreal experience of seeing Aishwarya’s graceful dance while he was left stunned by the whole situation.
The filming conditions were intense, with temperatures reaching as high as 60°C. The cast filmed inside stone caves, where the heat was so intense that the rubber from the dancers’ shoes started to melt onto the stone floors. Abhishek said the experience was both difficult and unforgettable, but it was also a key moment in the making of Guru.
Guru remains a memorable film in Bollywood, not only for its powerful performances but also for the behind-the-scenes stories like this one that showcase the dedication and creativity of the team.
