Location Diaries: When work is vacation

Shooting for her upcoming film titled Ivanukku Engeyo Machham Irukku has apparently made one of Ashna Zaveri’s dreams come true. The actor was required to shoot two songs with Vemal in London, a city she’s wanted to visit since childhood.

“Travelling there reminded me of all the Enid Blyton and Harry Potter books I devoured as a kid,” she says. So much did she like the city that she extended her trip after the shoot to explore it and the surrounding countryside.

The actor shares that it was a very demanding schedule. “The day I got the visa, I had to fly out that evening. As soon as I landed, I was escorted to the location, a two-hour drive from the London airport. Immediately, we started shooting. But I was so thrilled by the scenic village, cute cottages, cozy cafes and shops on the location that I forgot how jet-lagged I was! The cottage we shot in had a garden, a lovely fireplace, a swing and typical old furniture that reminded me of Enid Blyton books. It was thrilling to be living my dream!”

Her dream run continued for a day more, when she had to shoot another song across London. “Vemal and I drove through all the important landmarks in a Bentley convertible! So I got a free tour of London while working and even got to cycle and feed ducks in a park!” She was surprised to see the locals throng the shooting spot upon seeing the duo dancing to Indian music on the roads. “The foreigners wanted to take selfies with us and were very much in the know about song and dance in our films.”

Ashna extended her stay after the unit left and explored the city by bus and foot, apart from shopping on Oxford street. “I didn’t want to leave the city of my dreams and will surely go back on a holiday soon.”