The man introducing himself as Avneesh Yadav bragged that he had actually turned Arjun Kapoor from ‘Bamabaiyya' to a ‘UP Ka Chokra'. That he in fact taught the boy the local dialect, how to walk, and conduct himself like a local not from Lucknow but even more in the interiors.
The film was shot in a small town called Hardoi near Lucknow.
Avneesh Yadav even claimed to have bagged a role in Ishaqzaade because of his friendship with the film's leading man.
While taking Mr Yadav's proclamations with a bucket of salt one contacted Arjun Kapoor.
And surprise of surprises, a close friend of Arjun confirmed that Avneesh was telling the truth.
Says Arjun friend, "Avneesh became Arjun's best friend in UP. Anveesh is a taxi driver whom Arjun met on the Lucknow airport. On the journey from the airport to the hotel Arjun got around to talking with his driver and soon they hit it off.
Before Avneesh reached Arjun to his hotel they had become buddies. Arjun suggested that Avneesh drive him all around Lucknow and Hardoi throughout his shooting. "
From that point till the shooting was over Avneesh and Arjun were inseparable.
Says Arjun friend, "Avneesh in fact became a reference point for Arjun's character in Ishaqzaade. Director Habib Faizal told Arjun to use Anveesh's mannerisms, body language and spoken language.
In fact Arjun's performance is finally modelled on Avneesh. You see Arjun had all the personality traits of a Juhu boy. Avneesh helped Arjun transform into a UP ka launda. "
To top it all, Avneesh finally got to do a role in Ishaqzaade.
Says Arjun's friend, "Avneesh could've never imagined he would actually be sharing frames with the hero of the film. He was just happy mingling with the unit. Now he claims to his friends he is a Yashraj discovery. And he isn't wrong. Avneesh has given a very confident performance in his cameo. "
Avneesh and Arjun have remained connected even after his return home to Mumbai.
Avneesh can't wait for the film to open. He has decided to book an entire theatre for his family and friends.