Marathi film Bhootam Bhayyam took two years to make, with 25-day workshop for cast

The Marathi film 'Bhootam Bhayyam' is being talked about in the Marathi film industry these days. The film revolves around the world of folklore. In it, a group of friends gets caught up in the secret of a mysterious coin. The whole team worked for about two years to bring this different concept to the screen.

The director and the team worked closely from the start on many aspects, from casting and workshops to visual language and background music.

The idea of casting the Orange Juice Gang was there from the beginning. Their casting was finalised after the director met the actors in person. A workshop with the actors then ran for about 25 days.

The workshop included script reading, characterisation and different games. Many things were explored and several basics were worked on. Through the process, the actors got to understand their characters as well as to know one another.

The director said the workshop helped greatly in making the bond between the group of friends look easy and natural. The actors spent a lot of time with one another before shooting began, so a good bond formed between them.

This bond will show in the film as well. Rather than merely acting in front of the camera, the actors came to truly understand one another, so the ease of their relationship has come through on screen.

Special attention was also paid to visual language while building the world of 'Bhootam Bhayyam'. Departments such as production design, cinematography, costume design and look design worked together and tried to give the film a distinct look.

Large-scale preparation was also done during pre-production. The team planned from the start to present the world of folklore, mystery and the different characters effectively to audiences.

Work on the film's music also began early. Music director Shreenath Matre and his team had been working on the music and background score since the script-writing stage.

The songs have also been made in a different way. A choir has been used in many places. About 30 to 40 children rehearsed for two to three months for the background music.

According to the director, this entire process has produced a distinct and unique theatrical experience. The whole team worked for about two years to build 'Bhootam Bhayyam'.

For the director, creating the world of the film and making its characters, story and mystery exciting for audiences was the most challenging and equally exhilarating task. The making of 'Bhootam Bhayyam' was therefore a different experience for the director.