When Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara first hit the screens, it inspired many of us to travel, try adventure sports, plan a road trip and, of course, add Spain to our bucket list. As the film completes 15 years, director Zoya Akhtar sat down with Anupama Chopra for an interview and revealed some fascinating behind-the-scenes trivia that many of us may not know. Scroll on to discover them all!
15 Years Of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara!
Released in 2011, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara became more than just a coming-of-age film, it turned into a whole mood for a generation. From road trips across Spain and unexpected adventures to friendship, love and confronting fears, this iconic film by Zoya Akhtar made viewers dream of living life a little more freely. Now, 15 years later, the film remains a cult favourite, inspiring travel plans, friendships and plenty of “Seize the day, my friend” moments.
During an interview with Anupama Chopra for The Hollywood Reporter India, Zoya Akhtar opened up about her characters Arjun, Imraan and Kabir, the fun behind the scenes, and how she ended up doubling as the makeup artist for Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol during the road-trip shoot.
She also revealed how the team pulled off the iconic Tomatina Festival sequence despite it being the off-season for tomatoes in Spain. The conversation offered a fascinating glimpse into the little details, challenges and behind-the-scenes moments that helped bring one of our favourite films to life.
Also Read: ZNMD’s Iconic Diamond Biscuits Are Real, And Even Zoya Akhtar Just Found Out!
Real Bulls, Tomatoes From Portugal & Drive Around Spain!
During the interview, Zoya talked about different ways directors usually prefer to shoot moving car sequences but she decided against them all and let the actors actually drive and shoot from the side. “I am so lucky, the three of them are incredible drivers. They have driven in the whole film. They were acting, performing, driving – they were too good,” she said.
When it came to the risky bull-running sequence, Zoya also chose to go the real route instead of relying heavily on CGI. The sequence was shot in Pamplona, where the actual San Fermín Festival takes place, with real bulls used for the scenes. The team had to shoot the sequence multiple times, making it a tedious process, but Zoya recalled that it was also a lot of fun. Only two shots in the entire sequence were created using CGI.
And then came the iconic Tomatina Festival sequence, which was filmed in Buñol, Spain, at the actual festival location. However, there was one major problem—the tomatoes weren’t ripe enough in Spain at the time. The Spanish government had given the team access to the location after the actual festival, so producer Ritesh Sidhwani stepped in and imported 16,000 kg of tomatoes from Portugal to make the sequence happen. The tomatoes reportedly cost around ₹1 crore, although Zoya admitted she couldn’t confirm the exact figure.
Also Read: From ZNMD To Dil Dhadakne Do, 7 Shooting Locations Of Iconic Zoya Akhtar Films
Well, take this as your cue to watch this iconic film again!
Cover Image Courtesy: Pinterest
FAQs
Where was Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara filmed?
The film was primarily shot across Spain, including locations such as Barcelona, Pamplona, Buñol and Seville.
Were real bulls used in the bull-running sequence?
Yes, director Zoya Akhtar chose to use real bulls for the Pamplona sequence, with only two shots reportedly created using CGI.
How many tomatoes were used for the Tomatina scene?
The production reportedly imported around 16,000 kg of tomatoes from Portugal because the tomatoes available in Spain were not ripe enough at the time of filming.