Bollywood actor Vicky Kaushal, who is currently on a promotional spree for his latest release ‘Bad Newz,’ recently revisited a harrowing experience from his early career, involving a near-violent run-in with the sand mafia while shooting for the acclaimed film ‘Gangs of Wasseypur.’ Released in 2012 and directed by Anurag Kashyap, the film is based on a real-life story revolving around a gangster, who clashes with a coal mining mafia. This masterpiece has received massive acclaim, becoming one of the most impactful films in Indian cinema over the last decade.
Appearing on Tanmay Bhat’s YouTube channel, Vicky Kaushal shared his behind-the-scenes experiences from ‘Gangs of Wasseypur,’ where he served as an Assistant Director before rising to stardom. The film featured an ensemble cast, including notable actors like Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Manoj Bajpayee, Huma Qureshi, Richa Chadha, and Tigmanshu Dhulia, bringing to life the gripping tale of revenge and organized crime.
Reflecting on the encounters during the film’s production, Vicky recalled a particularly intense incident involving the sand mafia. “The coal smuggling depicted in the film wasn’t just fabricated for cinematic effect; it was based on real events. We actively captured visuals of illegal sand mining, and being on that set was an eye-opening experience. For the first time, I realized just how openly these unlawful activities were conducted. You wouldn’t think it was illegal; you’d believe it was a legitimate business because there weren’t just a couple of trucks. There were a staggering 500 trucks involved,” Vicky recalled.
The tension escalated rapidly during one of these shoots. “We were trying to film this covertly, and before we knew it, we were surrounded by 500 people. The camera attendant, an elderly gentleman in his 50s, tried to stay calm and acted like he was calling someone influential to help us out of the mess.
. However, the locals misunderstood his actions and believed he was indeed summoning someone powerful. Things took a dire turn when they slapped the cameraman, snatched the camera, and threatened to destroy it. Both of us were on the verge of getting beaten up but managed to escape, thankfully saving our lives,” Vicky added.
As Vicky continues to establish himself in the Bollywood landscape, his recent film ‘Bad Newz’ is currently making waves. The film opened to a significant response from audiences, raking in Rs 8.62 cr in India on its first day of release. ‘Bad Newz,’ which also features performances by Ammy Virk, Neha Dhupia, and Triptii Dimri, is perceived as a spiritual successor to the 2019 hit ‘Good Newwz.’ That film starred Kareena Kapoor Khan, Akshay Kumar, Kiara Advani, and Diljit Dosanjh in prominent roles, drawing immense box-office success.
Directed by Anand Tiwari, ‘Bad Newz’ pushes beyond the conventional rom-com narrative, plunging into the chaotic realm of heteropaternal superfecundation—a scientifically complex situation where one mother gives birth to twins from two different fathers. Adding to the excitement are special cameos by actresses Ananya Panday and Neha Sharma, which further bolstered the film’s appeal to a broader audience.
In closing, Vicky Kaushal’s retelling of his formidable yet insightful early experiences brings to light the challenging, often dangerous realities faced by film crews shooting on location, especially when portraying stories rooted in real-life illegal activities. Such narratives remind the public of the dedication and risks involved in bringing authentic, groundbreaking cinema to the screen. Meanwhile, Vicky’s current successes, including ‘Bad Newz,’ demonstrate his growing prominence in the Bollywood industry, continuing a legacy that had humble and perilous beginnings.
(With inputs from ANI)
