Sayyeshaa Saigal shot in minus nine degrees in minimal clothing: Director Gokul

Gokul, director of the upcoming film Junga, on Wednesday (13 June), showered praises on one of the film's actresses, Sayyeshaa Saigal, during the film's audio launch at the Sathyam Cinemas in Chennai. 

The film, which has been predominantly shot in France, features actor Vijay Sethupathi as a comical don. 

Speaking at the audio launch, Gokul said, "I wish to share just one thing today. I have to tell about Sayyeshaa and her work in the film. The song that was screened now might look awesome on screen. But the fact is that we shot that song in a place with a temperature of minus nine degrees. Several of us who were shooting there were unable to withstand the cold and would often find ourselves shivering and falling down. This despite wearing warm clothes. In such freezing temperatures, Sayyeshaa had to wear a thin dress for the song. Her mother was the costume designer for the film. Had it been someone else, they would have killed me."

However, according to the filmmaker, the actress completed the shoot even after falling ill. 

"Sayyeshaa couldn't take the cold at one point and fainted. When she swooned, those on the set began shouting that she was losing consciousness and that her lips were turning blue. I was in a state of shock. I couldn't even react. My mind went numb and I was worried about several things. The one thing that was top most on my mind at that point was that we hadn't completed the shot. By this time, my crew members had rushed to Sayyeshaa and had moved her to a car and were rushing her to a hospital. However, after some time, I saw the car turning back. Sayyeshaa apparently had said that she would want to finish the scene and then take medical help. She sat in front of a heater for a while and then completed the scene for us and it was only then that she went to take medical help. I can never forget what she did on this set," he added.

Junga is produced by Sethupathi himself and is believed to be the costliest film of his career.