Journey of Frozen...

The journey of Frozen began for me from the time I shot for music video “Channa vey ghar aaja vey” – a song sung by kunal ganjawalla. One of the common friends introduced me to Shivajee sir and he took my audition for the same.They were looking for a “girl next door”(as the phrase commonly used) look and I was told I fit the same...During that period,Shivajee educated me about filmmaking as I was not aware of even the “f” of films…all I knew was watching films as an audience ( especially bollywood films) in theatres and on cable tv.
Shivajee educated me with world cinema,and gave me some real good films to watch which included Hollywood,Iranian,german,korean and all sorts of movies.We used to have discussions about the same…and that was the time ( I really thank God for that day),i was told that he is making a film and it's a brother sister thriller story to be shot in Goa and that i would be playing the sister…Little did I know then that I was becoming a part of something extraordinary,I was more excited about working in my first feature…( typical actor trait!!!)

During the scripting sessions,I must agree I was not creatively involved as I myself was new to all this,and I was in the learning process too…but I actively took participation in whatever was told to me,and made sure not to let this opportunity let go to have a practical knowledge of “how a film is made”.It was a great opportunity and I wanted to make the best use of it.The surprise was when Shivajee returned from his trip to Ladakh and said he has got his location for the film,and that we are shooting there in winters when the temperature would be -25 degree celcius...I guess we all froze then and there when we heard this news,but we got the title of the film!!!

And then everything started falling in place..the crew,the other actors and God!!! When I was told that Danny Denzongpa was playing my father,I jumped with joy.I was really excited to act with “Bakhtavar” and “Kaacha chinha”.I first met him at his place when we had gone for costume trial.I was not scared of him,but I didn’t know what exactly to talk to such a big personality, and honestly,I didn’t want to give an impression that I am like a 18 year old chatterbox ,so 80 percent of the time I kept mum during that meeting.Plus it was such pleasure hearing him,that u feel like hearing his stories forever.

There were lot of things lined up just one month before the shoot,like makeup trial,costume trial,and hairstyle trial and especially the wig which I wear in the last scene of the film ( I must have tried at least 10 wigs to get this one right).The costumes had to be designed in such a way that we actors could wear 2-3 layers inside to beat the cold..I was never afraid/worried about the cold as I love snow.and I had been to ladakh twice before the shooting days…once as a tourist and once for camera test with Director Shivajee and Cinematographer Shanker..This visit was during nov end- dec which we might call early winters of Ladakh..It was an important visit for me so to get an idea of the cold there and believe me,it was freezing,but the excitement of the film and shooting drew all the cold away..
I also learnt that black and white movie makeup is different than normal makeup as the shades seen on screen are black/white and grey,though there was minimal makeup we used and more of natural look was preferred for all actors.I really got envious of Angchuk( Chomo who plays my brother),as he required no makeup at all.Infact Makeup dada was asked to make my face like his with dark red cheeks and black spots on it ( the skin of ladaki’s due to extreme weather) and Angchuk had them natural. Halfway in 34 days of shoot,even I started getting natural burnt out cheeks due to cold.

And then…the day of departure…I was supposed to leave on 9th of feb’07...