Anand Mahindra shares little-known fact about Shah Rukh Khan-Deepika Padukone's 'Om Shanti Om': 'Fire scene shot at actual fire-ravaged site in Mumbai'

Time of India

2 days ago

Anand Mahindra revealed that Om Shanti Om's iconic fire sequence, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, was filmed at Mumbai's Mukesh Mills, a location with a fiery past. Action director Sham Kaushal shared that the scene used real flames, making the shoot extremely stressful and dangerous for the cast and crew. The film marked Deepika Padukone's debut.
Almost 17 years after Om Shanti Om lit up the big screen, a fascinating behind-the-scenes detail about its iconic fire sequence has come to light.
Anand Mahindra
recently revealed that the dramatic scene — where
Shah Rukh Khan
's Om risks his life to save
Deepika Padukone
's Shantipriya — was filmed at Mumbai's Mukesh Mills, a location with its own fiery past and eerie reputation.
Connection between film and location
At the event, Mahindra revealed that the location held a special connection to Om Shanti Om. He noted that Shah Rukh Khan chose to film the fire sequence at Mukesh Mills, possibly inspired by its own history — the site had once been destroyed in a fire, mirroring the film's storyline of flames and reincarnation.
He also pointed out that Shah Rukh had ridden a luxury bike in his 1994 hit Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, adding that the actor has a fondness for the brand — making the motorcycle's launch at Mukesh Mills all the more fitting.
No VFX, only real flames
In an earlier interview with Hindi Rush, action director
Sham Kaushal
revealed that no VFX was used for the scene at the time — the fire was real. The set housed SRK, Deepika, three cameramen, and about 60 crew members from his team, making it nearly 100 people inside a burning set.
An extremely stressful shoot
He further shared that the shoot was extremely stressful, as the fire had to be extinguished within seconds of being lit to avoid any mishap. A single mistake could have led to disaster. Kaushal admitted there were moments when he stepped aside to cry on set, feeling so overwhelmed that he feared he might suffer a heart attack.
Om Shanti Om, directed by
Farah Khan
, released in 2007 and marked Deepika Padukone's acting debut. Alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika, the film also starred Shreyas Talpade, Arjun Rampal, and Kirron Kher in key roles.