Imagine being caught during Ramanavmi in Orchha. Known as the city of Ram temples, the small town in Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh had some celebrities for company last week, with Roland Joffe shooting the Bipasha Basu in Josh Hartnett-starrer Singularity.
While Hollywood heartthrob Hartnett went largely unnoticed, Basu was barely able to move out of her accommodation, and was surrounded by security at all times.
"The city has come alive suddenly. It's throbbing with life. There's no space to walk let alone shoot. Most of Singularity will be shot in Orchha, to depict 18th century India in the film. The remaining part will be shot in London. The film depicts two eras, " she said.
Basu was also impressed by how easily the Hollywood unit took to India. "I feel less Indian than them, " she laughed. "I have never been to Orccha. If it wasn't for this film, I'd have missed one of the most beautiful spots in our country. "
We hear that this appreciation was absent when Basu first reached Orchha. She complained about the mosquitoes and lack of amenities. "But the foreign unit just blended in. They loved the place and the food. I soon fell in line. "
Basu also had to learn how to wield a sword for the film -- something she hadn't done before. "Now I feel I've been doing it all my life, " she said.