You are here: Home > Entertainment > Bollywood > Mani Ratnam's Raavan is jinxed or so feels the crew

Raavan crew members perform puja to ward off evil eye as they feel the project is jinxed

Mani Ratnam's Raavan has been in trouble from the onset. The Abhishek-Aishwarya starrer has suffered all kinds of trouble from shooting delays to technical mishaps.

WATCH YOUR STEP: Aishwarya Rai on the sets of Raavan

Being shot in difficult terrain was taxing enough without these additional problems. However it was only after Mani Ratnam's health scare, that the cast and crew decided it was time to invoke some blessings.

Recently, a puja was held on the film's sets to ward off the evil eye.

Cause of worry

Says an insider, "Raavan has faced problems from the very first day of shooing. However, people started getting worried when they continued. It didn't seem like a coincidence. Everyone was convinced that someone or something was jinxing this project and they needed  divine intervention.

It was after Mani's health scare that someone from the crew suggested that they have a puja. This has been the most difficult film Mani has  made in his career. Apart from shooting the Hindi and Tamil versions simultaneously, Mani also had to deal with several bureaucratic issues ranging from getting permission to shoot in places and making way for logistical support in the jungles."

It is learnt that the puja was held during the Ooty schedule. "Mani was not present when it happened, but he was aware of it. Although he is not very religious, at this stage he wants to make sure the film isn't delayed anymore and he  agreed, for the sake of others. One of the unit members even suggested Mani to change the title of the film as it has mythological significance," adds the source.

Raavan's list of troubles
>> Opposition from the forest officials of Kerala. The officials objected when there was a scene which involved smoke. 
>> In Ooty officials seized caravans of Ash and Abhishek due to lack of proper documents
>> The problems faced by the cast while shooting in the dense Orchcha forests of MP from poisonous insects and snakes.
>> Trouble with vehicles from Chennai being used for the Ooty schedule and license issues.