Snake scare for comedy unit in Bangkok

Mumbai, Aug 29 (IANS) The shooting of Shashi Ranjan's 'Dhoom Dhadaka' in Bangkok could have turned deadly for the film unit but for cast member Satish Shah who rose to the occasion and probably saved lives.

It all started with a snake. A reptile was required for a comedy sequence featuring Anupam Kher, Shah, Sammir Dattani and Shaad Randhawa, but what they apparently got was a poisonous variety.

Recalling the incident with a shudder, Sammir says: 'What we didn't know at that time was that the snake sent to us for shooting was one of the most poisonous and deadly variety. We proceeded to shoot with it and all of us would've probably landed up dead immediately if it wasn't for Satishji.

'As soon as he saw the snake, he realised it was very, very dangerous. He immediately told us to get rid of it. It turned out to be one of the most deadly varieties, known to kill instantly. Anupamji and Satishji were actually holding the snake. If we hadn't recognised the reptile, the results would've been disastrous,' shudders Sammir.

How did such a lethal reptile make its way to the shooting location in Bangkok?

Shrugs Anupam: 'We've no clue. We had asked for a healthy, scary-looking snake. We didn't know they'd send us a killer. It could've been touch-and-go for Satish and me. These things happen. There're so many occasions when we put our lives in danger without knowing it.'

But director Shashi Ranjan was apparently shaken, as the unit was functioning under him.