Bejoy Nambiar Takes Calculated Risk with Real Crocodile in Upcoming Thriller 'Tu Yaa Main'
Director Bejoy Nambiar has revealed that he took a calculated risk on his upcoming thriller 'Tu Yaa Main' by filming parts of it with a real crocodile. Despite crew members cautioning him against this dangerous approach, Nambiar pushed ahead because he wanted at least one shot that felt completely authentic and real for the audience.
Why Nambiar Insisted on Using a Live Reptile
Nambiar explained that the crocodile work became one of the most demanding stretches of the entire shoot. He remembers capturing nearly eight hours of footage with the reptile, determined to achieve genuine cinematic moments. "Everyone told me not to shoot with a real crocodile," Nambiar said. "But I felt that even if I got one authentic shot, it would be worth it."
The film stars Adarsh Gourav and Shanaya Kapoor as two content creators who end up battling for survival during a deadly encounter. Gourav was already cast while the script was being developed, while Kapoor joined after two rounds of auditions.
How the Director Approached the Dangerous Shoot
Nambiar said the biggest challenge was deciding how to handle the crocodile on screen. He wanted to mix practical work with other tools without losing the raw edge of a real animal. "We broke the shoot into three parts: real crocodile, animatronic crocodile, and VFX," he explained.
The team chose a crocodile farm in Thailand after also looking at locations in Australia and Indonesia. Safety planning drove the entire schedule and setup. "We had four wranglers, a local safety team, and a small crew," Nambiar detailed.
Safety Protocols and Filming Process
They filmed the animal alone first to avoid surprises. "We first shot the crocodile alone for half a shift, letting it get used to the environment," Nambiar said. "Only after that did we bring the actors in." Over time, the reptile settled into a routine. "After a point, the crocodile was so used to the wranglers that it almost felt like working with a trained animal. There was never a moment of aggression."
With the leads involved in some sequences, the production leaned on intense preparation. "We over-prepped. The entire second half was animated in advance. Every sequence was broken down shot by shot," Nambiar revealed. He kept his direction simple during these tense moments: "Focus only on these specific beats. Don't think beyond that."
Nambiar's Unexpected Journey with 'Tu Yaa Main'
Interestingly, Nambiar did not expect to direct this project when he first heard about it. The script was written by Himanshu Sharma, Aanand L Rai, and Abhishek Bandekar. "There's a process Bejoy Nambiar follows," he explained about his usual approach. "He usually directs only those films that have been written by him. Naturally then, he walked into Tu Yaa Main's narration prepared to say no."
However, the narration itself sold him on the film. "I was immediately hooked," he said, smiling. "I enjoyed it so much that after the narration, I called my wife and said, 'If the narration itself was this engaging, my job is to execute it honestly.' Plus, this was a genre I hadn't explored before."
Nodding to Bollywood History
Nambiar also wanted to nod to 'Khoon Bhari Maang,' a crocodile reference many Indian viewers remember. He sought permission from Rakesh Roshan to use certain shots. "He was so gracious," Nambiar said. "Later, he texted that he loved the trailer. I even heard from Rekha."
About Director Bejoy Nambiar
Bejoy Nambiar, born April 12, 1979, is an Indian film director and screenwriter known for his work in Bollywood. He gained notice for his short films 'Rahu' and 'Reflections,' starring Mohanlal. Nambiar won Sony PIX Gateway to Hollywood for best director, judged by Ashok Amritraj, Rajat Kapoor, and Anurag Basu.
He made his feature debut with the 2011 crime drama 'Shaitan,' then directed 'David,' 'Wazir' (2016), and 'Taish' (2020). With 'Tu Yaa Main,' Nambiar continues to push creative boundaries while maintaining his commitment to authentic storytelling.
