Awara Pagal Deewana is being touted as the biggest action flick ever.

After all, the action directors are the same ones who executed the sequences in Matrix.

So it's no surprise that adrenaline levels are running high for one of its stars, Akshay Kumar.

"The film will have some amazing scenes and I am thrilled about it," he says excitedly. "We have finished one part of the fight sequences and I am quite excited about the shooting. We need to have stunts with a difference and I am sure this film will provide that."

A visibly energised Akshay Kumar on the sets of Awara Pagal Deewana would have loved to go on about it but director Vikram Bhatt hollers for him and he is immediately up on his feet.

The other stars are Aftab and Preeti Jhangiani. Akshay is supposed to be peeping Tom in a scene where he watches Aftab and Preeti getting too close for comfort.

He is stationed next to the door while Preeti and Aftab rough it out on the other end of the set. It gets warmer and warmer on the sets. So Aftab decides to remove his coat and wear it only during the shot.

He calls his boy and hands it over to him.

The couple rehearses the scene once more- no taking any chances with the take. Aftab looks at Preeti coyly and tries to hug her but she seems uncomfortable and unsure.

Vikram okays the rehearsal and they go ahead with the shot.

The moment Aftab hugs her he simply loses balance though they manage to get control the moment they reach the end of the aisle.

There is a small pool built on the set giving it the feel of a backyard garden. There is a fountain too.

The scene is cut and they do it all over again with absolutely no fuss.

This time everything goes fine and the stars take a break.

Aftab is quite enthusiastic about this film. "I play a simpleton, a dumb guy who cannot even harm a fly. The scripts are well defined and the makers are very trustworthy. I have no qualms in being part of a multi-starrer if it's a bigger and better project. There's more hype and it benefits everyone."

With three releases coming up soon he has a lot to look forward to. "I hope the audience doesn't get tired of me," he says, laughing at his own joke.

Soon Preeti joins us. She too is feeling warm in her chudidar and asks for some cold water.

Her boy runs to fetch it while she settles down to chat about her role. "This is a fun-filled film. I play a very different character in it. I am married to one person but covet another, giving rise to many comic interludes.

The character is not a vampish one, she hastens to assure you. "It is just that this girl has muddled emotions and slowly, during the film, the problem sorts itself out. I felt I would only benefit from doing this role and that's why I gave my nod.

Preeti admits that comedy is a tough nut to crack. "And yet look at these people." she says, obviously referring to her co-stars. Aftab and Preeti are called back for the next take.

Before they leave, you ask whether it's true that the film is a remake of The Whole Nine Yards '. Aftab doesn't deny it outright.

"There are shades of that film in this story but as usual, we Indians always have our own flavour in our films."

With that diplomatic answer he heads for the shot.

India News Feature Service