The film 'Main Hoon Na' completed 22 years on April 30. Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Sushmita Sen, Zayed Khan, and Amrita Rao, the movie is still remembered for its unique blend of humour, action, and music. One of its most iconic features is the campus setting, which became a key visual identity and remains a talking point among fans.
How Farah Khan Found the Iconic Location
Filmmaker Farah Khan revealed how she discovered the perfect shooting spot. She spoke about it on Rajeev Masand's audio show 'Picture Ke Peeche'. Farah shared that she first noticed the location while watching Raj Kapoor's 'Mera Naam Joker'. Intrigued, she contacted Randhir Kapoor to learn more. However, Randhir initially discouraged her, saying, "Why do you want to direct a movie? Down the ages, when choreographers direct a movie, their shop shuts down!" This disheartened Farah, but she drew inspiration from Guru Dutt, who was also a choreographer.
Determination to Find the Perfect Campus
Farah explained that she was adamant about finding a realistic setting. She said, "I didn't want a campus that is unearthly and doesn't feel real. I wanted a campus that might be upmarket but still feels like it is located in this country." Her persistence led her to the ideal location.
Shooting at St Paul's School
A significant portion of the film was shot at St Paul's School. Surprisingly, securing permission was easy. The school management agreed to provide the location for free. Farah recalled, "I spoke with the Father, and he was very happy. The only condition was that we should shoot in December when the kids are on holiday. In December, however, it was freezing cold. All my 100 dancers and other crew members lived in the school dormitory." The challenging weather added to the unique experience.
Farah described the shoot as one of her most memorable experiences. Living on campus created a strong bond among the cast and crew. She said, "There was a church on the campus. We would all pray there daily. We used to eat our meals in the mess. We installed a water heater in the dormitory. The students never had the chance to have hot water."
About the Film
'Main Hoon Na' marked Farah Khan's directorial debut. It also featured Suniel Shetty, Kabir Bedi, Naseeruddin Shah, Boman Irani, and Kirron Kher. The story follows Major Ram Prasad Sharma, an Indian Army officer on an undercover mission. He joins a college to protect a general's daughter while trying to reunite with his estranged family. The film remains a beloved classic in Bollywood.
