Sanjana Sanghi: After riding a bike in this film, I want a bike for myself for posterity – EXCLUSIVE! – Times of India

“I don’t think I can put it into words what it feels like to work with my wonderful co-stars. It’s a liberating-kind of woman power in this film. In my conversations before, I have always expressed how much I appreciate Taapsee for not just pushing the envelope but for just following her heart in a creative space like ours. In a divine way, our paths crossed, and we talked for hours that day. Then, she sent me the script in a few days and it’s the only one in 2021 that I read within a day and said yes to. I didn’t even wait to find out who else was on board. The story is so special. We’re biking to the highest motorable pass in the world. We’re shooting on real locations, where probably no Hindi film has ever been shot before. It’s challenging at multiple levels but it’s that much more satisfying,” says Sanjana.

Sanjana ducked the paps and trained to ride a 22o-kilo bike over three months right here, in Mumbai. The actress, who debuted with Dil Bechara, rode a vintage scooter for Rashtra Kavach OM. Dhak Dhak only pushed her love for two-wheelers to another level. “I don’t know, maybe I had put it out in the universe and it manifested. The maximum I did in OM was to ride a vintage scooter. It had familiarised me with a two-wheeler and I had joked about wanting to do more. I had to undergo an approximate three-month-long training to be able handle the bike I am riding in Dhak Dhak. The bike is five times my weight. It is so challenging to handle it but I love it now. I was into cycling long distances when I was a child; maybe that’s the reason my trainer felt that I had a natural knack for it. After riding a bike in this film, I want a bike for myself and I want to continue riding even after I’m done with the movie. I want it for the rest of my life. I am in love with this skill that have picked,” Sanjana gushes.

The first visual of four women, across different age groups and probably even different communities in India, atop heavy-duty bikes was talked about – maybe because even in real life, we don’t see as many women riding heavy two-wheelers as men. Sanjana agrees and adds, “Somehow, this skill is seeped in gender stereotypes. It’s a physically-demanding and challenging thing to handle hefty bikes. You need that brute power in the body, with your core and shoulders and your back and legs completely ready for this kind of heavy lifting. They have to be strong. Maybe after this film, more girls will find the confidence and will build that strength in them to ride these mean machines. I was one of the many girls, who until three months ago, didn’t think she could do it. And here I have been in Leh, riding. It is about gradually making things happen.”

The film is being shot at real locations in Leh and Ladakh, where the unit is braving unpredictable weather and terrain conditions every single day. Bring that up and Sanjana says, “We’re literally taking it one day at a time. Hindi films have never been shot at these places before. We’re working really hard to keep the film looking and feeling authentic in every way possible. Sometimes, there are untimely rains, sometimes, it’s too sunny and sometimes, the bikes give in. But everyday, we make it a point to cover our target ground and enjoy the time we’re spending here. There are bonfires, singing and great food. The Himalayan wind has a soothing effect. Despite the challenges, everything feels so great.”

Sanjana reveals that her parents are also deeply excited to see what she’s been up to on the set. The actress shares pictures with them every day to update them on everything she experiences every single day. “We used to spend a lot of our summer vacations in Himachal Pradesh. In fact, mom wanted a house there. We would drive to such places every year. So, I feel at home here. Every day has been uniquely challenging and satisfying. My dad is so excited; he had probably never imagined his little girl on this mean machine. And my mom is expected to join me on the set very soon. I’m looking forward to showing her around and having her watch me perform. It’s a great feeling,” she ends.