In a startling revelation that sheds light on the challenges faced by Indian film crews shooting abroad in the 1990s, veteran director Rajiv Rai has disclosed that two actors from his 1992 action-thriller Vishwatma were arrested during filming in Kenya. The incident occurred during what was reportedly the first extensive Bollywood shoot in the African nation.
The Kenya Shooting Controversy
During a recent interview with The Friday Talkies, Rajiv Rai shared previously unknown details about the difficulties his team encountered while filming Vishwatma in Kenya. The film, which featured an ensemble cast including Sunny Deol, Naseeruddin Shah, Chunky Panday, and the late Divya Bharti, faced unexpected legal troubles when two unnamed actors found themselves on the wrong side of Kenyan law.
The director explained that Nairobi had strict regulations about nighttime movement and currency restrictions that the Indian film crew wasn't fully aware of initially. "You can't roam in Nairobi at night. And, you weren't allowed to carry dollars along with you, not even a single penny," Rai revealed during the conversation.
Dangerous Consequences of Rule Violation
Rai emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting that violating these rules could have fatal consequences. "If you get caught there, they can shoot you. It was a tough rule country," the filmmaker stated, highlighting the military-style governance in place during their shooting schedule.
The incident occurred when two actors from the film decided to venture out at approximately 2 AM, unaware of the local restrictions. Their nighttime excursion led to immediate arrest by local authorities. Rajiv Rai described the scenario as particularly frightening given the omnipresent military presence and the normalization of severe punishment for rule violations.
Rescue and Aftermath
Fortunately for the production team, Rai's local co-producers had established political connections that proved crucial in resolving the situation. "My co-producers had many contacts. They were respected citizens there and had political friendships locally," Rai explained.
These connections successfully secured the release of the arrested actors, but not without a stern warning from local authorities. The crew was explicitly instructed to avoid any further nighttime excursions and to strictly adhere to local regulations. The experience served as a stark reminder about respecting different countries' political laws and cultural norms while filming internationally.
Beyond the arrest incident, Rajiv Rai also shared his original reasoning for choosing Kenya as a filming location. The director cited affordability, the suitable action-oriented atmosphere, and existing contacts as primary factors behind the decision to make Vishwatma the pioneering Indian film shot extensively in Kenya, with major sequences filmed in both Nairobi and Mombasa.
