The search for Prateik's Juliet is over but the producers of Issaq, the desi adaptation of Shakespeare's cult tragedy Romeo And Juliet are in no mood to reveal her identity. Taking the cue from director Imtiaz Ali, even the Issaq director Manish Tiwary has become extremely protective of his newfound Juliet. In fact, her name is also not being revealed.
A well-placed source from the crew reveals, "She is a 16 year-old-girl from a small town. She was selected after extensive auditions of 400 girls across the country. Her character in the film is called Bachchi.
The whole unit has been asked not to reveal the identity of the girl and to address her only by her screen name. Nobody is allowed to use cell phones on the sets to avoid getting the two actors clicked in the same frame.
The producers are so paranoid about her identity being revealed that they have even told her to wear a burkha while going to public places. Both Prateik and she has been instructed not to be seen together in public."
Shailesh Singh who is co-producing the film with Dhaval Gada says, "The chemistry between the girl and Prateik is the USP of the film and we don't want it to fizzle out so soon as the release date is yet far off.
So it makes sense not to reveal her identity. You will find out about her when the time is right." Says director Manish Tiwary who earlier made Dil Dosti Etc, "After a lot of search we have found the right girl.
We were looking for somebody who is very young and innocent and at the same time can carry of the rustic look of a Banarasi girl.
As of now all I can say is I am very happy with Bachchi and she certainly looks very good with Prateik who has a lean look in the film." The film is currently being shot in Varanasi.