Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh is reeling under the impact of having Salman Khan amidst them. The star is currently shooting for his film, 'Sultan', in Bihargarh village in Morna Tehsil of Muzaffarnagar and the local police machinery has swung into action to protect the star from fan frenzy.
It is learnt that the state government has deployed a 1,000-strong police contingent for the shoot. UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is overseeing the security measures and has given strict instructions to the police that they must avoid taking snapshots with the star or even shaking hands with him.
Says a source, "Salman arrived late on Tuesday night in a convoy of a dozen cars amidst tight security. He is staying at a farmhouse in the outskirts of the village. As soon as word spread that the star would be arriving, multitude of his fans began thronging the area, but they were kept at bay."
Adds the source, "Salman was escorted to the farmhouse from the back gate. He had over 20 bouncers accompanying him. The road leading to the farmhouse was closed for the public and only people associated with the film could enter the premises."
The star began shooting on Wednesday afternoon and the scenes shot included a wrestling bout for which a special akhada was created. Another shot required him to lift a tractor and some scenes were shot in the local block office. The unit had put up boards saying 'Haryana' which raised many eyebrows.
The source further adds, "It appeared that they were recreating Haryana in UP. Onlookers wondered why they did not go to shoot in Haryana."
A lot of fans were also left asking why Anushka Sharma, who features in the film with him, was missing, but Anushka has completed her part of the shoot in the earlier New Delhi schedule. She is currently in Punjab shooting for her own production, 'Phillauri'