Big B rehearses even with spotboys, reveals 'Piku' director

Shoojit Sircar, the director of “Piku”, says that megastar Amitabh Bachchan is so "meticulous" about his work that he begins rehearsing with a spotboy if there is no co-star to give cues on the set.

Interacting with film enthusiasts over tea at Poetic license' latest workshop which was held at the Irani Cafe, Excelsior here on Friday, Sircar spoke candidly on the making of “Piku”, which features the Big B with Deepika Padukone and Irrfan Khan in key roles.

“Mr. Bachchan starts rehearsing with a spotboy if his co-actors are not there to give cues. Irrfan won't do rehearsals, but he puts the things in his head. The script is in his blood and veins. Deepika is spontaneous. She doesn't do many rehearsals. She feels she will lose her spontaneity,” Sircar said on the acting styles of the actors.

The film on the father-daughter bond has been received well at the box office. It is a simple tale, told in an endearing manner, which people of all age groups can relate to.

Sircar says his "theatre techniques and discipline" helped him a lot in making “Piku”. "I shot the film in a theatrical way. We did many rehearsals and the final take was done in 10 minutes. I had a lot of fun directing the actors,” he added.

The session was moderated by “The lunchbox” director Ritesh Batra, who has started the initiative to revive the Irani cafes here. The previous sessions which were held at various iconic Irani cafes across the city, were attended by Farah Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sharat Kataria, Radhika Apte, Atul Mongia and Seher latif.