Cinematic Chronicles: From Village Vibes to Snowy Thrills

Atajani Kaanche, a gripping Telugu movie directed by the incredibly talented Vijay Kumar Kalivarapu, became an unforgettable chapter in my life. For those unfamiliar, Vijay Sir is well-known for his critically acclaimed movie Jayamma Panchayathi, which is streaming on Amazon Prime Videos.

Let me rewind to March 2023, when a microfilm premiere was held in Hyderabad. Vijay Sir graced the event as the chief guest, and our director, Anshul Sinha, showcased five of his microfilms. I was fortunate enough to perform in three of them. It was here that Vijay Sir noticed my acting and, much to my excitement, promised me a role in his upcoming movie.

Shooting at Sonmarg

Eating Wazwan

Swag in costume

Calmness before shot

Lal Chowk

at snow

Fast forward to December 2024: one evening, my phone rang. It was Vijay Sir, offering me an important role in his new movie. With no shoots lined up, I immediately jumped at the opportunity. Shooting with him was a fantastic experience, though initially, I struggled a bit with the language barrier. However, thanks to an assistant director proficient in Hindi and English, it soon became manageable.

The journey began in Majjivalasa village, about 51 kilometers from Visakhapatnam. The shoot there was full of laughter and learning. I made wonderful friends, including Santhosh, who even started teaching me Telugu during our breaks. Interestingly, my character—a Pakistani soldier—spoke Hindi, so I faced no language challenges for my dialogues.

After wrapping up in Majjivalasa, the next phase of the shoot took us to the breathtaking landscapes of Sonmarg, Kashmir. Shooting in such extreme conditions, with temperatures dropping to -6°C, was both challenging and thrilling as an actor. The experience was heightened by Kashmir’s famed hospitality and delicious local cuisine, especially "wazwan."

Our daily routine began early in the morning, with an 80-kilometer drive from our hotel to the shoot location. On the way, we passed NIT Kashmir and learned fascinating tidbits from our driver, such as how every four to five houses in Kashmir have a masjid. Although we didn’t have time to visit one, our departure coincided with the start of the holy month of "Roza."

One particularly unforgettable incident occurred before reaching the Sonmarg shoot location. After renting snow-friendly shoes and enjoying breakfast, we began shooting in the snow-covered landscape. A police station nearby was almost entirely buried under snow, and I witnessed policemen patiently waiting for a JCB to uncover it—a sight that stayed with me.

During lunch, we decided to walk to the next shoot location, which wasn’t far. This seemingly simple decision led to an encounter with an army man, who mistook me for actual military personnel because of my Indian Army costume. Although initially nerve-wracking, the situation eased once we explained we were shooting a film and showed him our permissions. His advice to avoid walking in costume due to potential risks of being mistaken for a real soldier was a sobering reminder of the realities in the region.

Despite the challenges, the shoot was an incredible experience. By the end of the day, we returned to our hotel, reflecting on the journey and the memories we’d created amidst the snow and camaraderie.

The next day, it was time to head back to Hyderabad, but the experiences of shooting for "Atajani Kaanche"—from the warmth of Visakhapatnam to the chilly embrace of Kashmir—will forever remain etched in my heart. It was more than just a movie; it was a journey of growth, friendship, and unforgettable adventures.