Shamitabh: Lesser known facts

Shamitabh brings together the hit jodi of Amitabh Bachchan and R Balki. The film also stars popular actor Dhanush, who has impressed all with his performance in Raanjhanaa. The title of the film has a interesting trivia in itself. Shamitabh is made up with the last two letter of Dhanush's name and the first name of Mr Bachchan. Shamitabh also marks the Bollywood debut of Kamal Haasan's younger daughter - Akshara.

Shamitabh will be Dhanush's second film in the Hindi film industry, after the successful Raanjhanaa. And the actor looks very impressive in this film too. However, rumour has it that initially Shah Rukh Khan was to be a part of this project. In an interview with Mumbai Mirror, director R Balki confirmed the same and said, "I had some very interesting discussions with Shah Rukh. But he had some concerns which I felt were valid. But every film has its own destiny and this film wasn't meant to happen with him. I will come up with something for him too."

In an interview with Mumbai Mirror, director R Balki had revealed how he came up with the idea of making this film. "I was on my way to Amitabh's 69th birthday party. I didn't know what to gift him. I was stuck in traffic on my way to his house. In that one hour, I came up with a story and instead of a gift, I whispered the idea to him at the party. This is how Shamitabh was conceived. He gave me a thumbs up and said, 'Write it quickly before you forget it," recalls Balki.

Kamaal Haasan's younger daughter, Akshara Haasan will make her debut with this film. This aspiring actress has apparently worked behind the camera in the past, as an assistant director. In an interview with IANS, Akshara went on to reveal how she got this role. She said, "Balki sir and I met at a function. He came and said, 'Akshara can I talk to you for five minutes'. I said 'yes'. That time not many people knew that I had made the decision of becoming an actor. So, I felt that probably it's an amazing opportunity to work with him as an assistant director." He went on to say, 'There is a character, which I have you on my mind for', and I was like 'Wait a minute, what is this...' I was really excited. Later, we had a script discussion and I instantly connected to the script and the character. From there on, there was no looking back."

R Balki is all set to relay an interesting tale in Shamitabh. Amitabh Bachchan plays a vital character in the film and according to a Times of India report, the actor had recorded for the whole film before shooting it. The report further stated that Big B recorded all his dialogues which were later played when the scene was to be shot. And after the shooting of Shamitabh was complete, Amitabh Bachchan once again sat down to record and polish his dialogues, stated the report.

Shamitabh has been in the news for its rather unique title and interesting star cast. Director R Balki has added yet another interesting touch to it with regards to the film's music. According to a Bombay Times report a romantic song of the film was shot in the loos of Lapland in Finland. The report further stated that the temperature there was eight degrees and that it was difficult for the team to stay there, hence they were travelling to and fro for a week. The Bombay Times report further quoted Balki describing that the song was about how a gentleman sings to his lady love by showing her the most exotic loos.