BHUJ, JAN 28: Bhuj, a hot locale for Bollywood shoots in recent years, is abuzz with activity. And why not? Millions of filmgoers' heart-throb Aamir Khan, now turned producer, has made Bhuj his temporary home these days. He is here with wife Reena and is going to stay for 90 days to shoot his first venture, Lagan, in one stretch. The film is being made under the banner of his new company, Aamir Khan Productions.Khan has hired a portion of a newly constructed building, Sahajanand Towers, on Bhuj-Mandvi road on the tranquil outskirts of the town for himself and senior members of his unit. Others have been lodged in a local hotel.After the `muhurat' shot a fortnight ago at the location, which is an artificial village near Kunaria village, about 25 km north of here, the shooting is on in full swing. The artificial village has some 25 thatched huts, with a beautiful temple overlooking a hill.While Khan is the hero, Gracy Singh (Dinky of tele-serial Amanat) is the heroine. As many as 47 local artists havebeen hired for the film. And since it is a period piece, they are all moving about wearing ear studs, shoot or no shoot. In fact, the ear studs have become some sort of a status symbol among the local artists.No visitors are allowed at the village, which is named Champnar. Uniformed personnel of a private security agency from Mumbai guard the location, under the supervision of one-time hero Rohit Roy. Although many Hindi films have been shot in Kutch, including the current blockbuster Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and J P Dutta's Refugee, which is likely to be released on Baisakhi in April, never was a film made in such tight security here.While Khan, his director Ashutosh Gowriker and his production controller are inaccessible, sources in the film unit said that Khan does not want to be disturbed to ensure natural recording of dialogues on the sets to avoid artificial dubbing later.Khan has won the hearts of local artistes by giving acting assignments to many of them. He has also employed 100 villagers ofKunaria, paying them Rs 270 daily, with free meals.
