There’s always a first time… 
By Shweta Vepa, July 28, 2006 - 00:23 IST
Sweaty palms, quicker heartbeats, that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach... Sounds familiar? We all have gone
through this familiar feeling, at some point in our lives. Be it that elocution recital in school, or that first time you go for a
job interview, it was always there. The first time is never forgotten. Even in Bollywood, everyone felt those jitters when
they gave their first shot. So we decided to ask the Bollywood brigade, what it was like, for them!
Ashmit Patel
It was for my film Inteha. I was actually a bundle of nerves! In fact I was troubled because I was wearing colored
lenses. I am very uncomfortable with anything in my eyes! I think I was more conscious of the pain in my eyes. It was a
long shot of me walking in a corridor. So it was pretty easy! My first take was okayed. However, there was some problem
with the camera. So there was another take. My friends were present for moral support!
Sushama Reddy
My first shot ever was for the film Chocolate, directed by Vivek Agnihotri. It was for the song Jhuki Jhuki. On
the first day itself, I entered this huge set. And I was like, "Ok! Where am I supposed to go now?" Then the production
people told me that there was a make up van for me! I was pleasantly surprised to see a make up van with all my
costumes and make up. Remo was the choreographer for the song. I was supposed to be drunk in the scene. Since, it
was my first shot I think they knew that I was nervous. But the entire team made me feel so comfortable! After I saw the
first shot, I really got an adrenaline rush. The best part is that it was okayed in one take. I was wondering if they were not
really worried about my shot. Or that I was too good! None of my family members were present. Because the golden rule
in my family is that no one is supposed to come on the sets. It might make us conscious! But the whole experience was
really great. .
Tanushree Dutta
My first shot ever was when I had started shooting for Chocolate. In the scene, all the other actors are playing
different musical instruments and I go up to Irfan and to tell him something along the lines of ‘lets compose it’. I got it right
in the first take itself.
Sammir Dattani
Technically, my first shot was when I was six years old! It was an ad with Mr. Sunil Gavaskar. The product was a milk
drink called ‘Energy Bank.’ All I remember of that day was that it was a fun day where everyone was bribing me to give
the right expressions! The bribe of course was in the form of chocolates and goodies. However, that was as a kid. When
I grew older, the first time in front of the camera was for my music video, ‘Valentine’s Day’. The first shot was not of my
face but of my hands! I was supposed to light a candle! I was so nervous that my hands kept on shivering. After about 8-9
takes, I managed! My family was not present during the shoot of the music video. Firstly, because it was in Hyderabad.
And secondly I had not told anyone because I was pretty nervous. But I guess I managed fine.
Shreyas Talpade
My first shot was for a T.V. serial. No one from my family was present! The shot was about seven friends at a party. They were up to some mischief. I was one of the friends. I don’t really remember how many retakes there were. I was quite
scared. But I didn’t want my directors Glenn and Ankush to know. I wanted to do a good job. Glenn was smart enough to
know that I was nervous. He just told me to relax. The anxiety of facing the camera for the first time was there, of course.
Rakhi Sawant
My first shot ever was for the film Joru Ka Ghulam. I had done stage shows before. But the first time in front of the
camera was for the song Khula Hai Mera Pinjra with Govinda. Ganesh Acharya was the choreographer. I didn’t
know much about camera angles. I was confident of my dancing skills. I didn’t have to give too many retakes. No one
from my family was present on the sets. Because I was doing all this chori chupke! My mother saw the song for
the first time on TV. And she said, “This girl looks like my daughter!” Phir bahut maar padi! Unfortunately, my
parents got divorced because of my entry in the industry. My dad didn’t approve of it. However, my mom supported me.
Aryeman
Family being my first film, there were bound to be pressures. There was a shot I couldn't get right for 17 takes!
Finally Raj ji threatened to throw me out of the film if I couldn't do it. He was shouting and abusing me! But it was
totally worth it and he was happy with my work in the end.
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Ashmit out, Dino in – in Aksar
