Renowned actress and dancer Pooja Sawant is currently making headlines for her latest film, Salbardi, where she portrays a police officer. Over the years, Pooja has delivered numerous hit films, establishing her mark in both Marathi cinema and Bollywood. She made her Bollywood debut with the Hindi film Junglee, starring alongside Vidyut Jammwal. In a recent interview, she shared her unique experiences while filming the project.
While promoting Salbardi, Pooja spoke to Maharashtra Times Entertainment about her time filming Junglee. Recounting the experience, she said:
“We shot the film in Chiang Mai. I went there 15 days before the shoot started because I wanted to build a friendship with the elephant. If we hadn’t become friends, our scenes wouldn’t have been possible. In the movie, I bathe her, sit on her, and walk through the forest with her. All of this doesn’t happen in just one meeting; there has to be a connection. By God’s grace, I have a natural connection with animals, which made things work out beautifully. Because of that, this film became a life-changing experience for me.”
Speaking about her co-star, Vidyut Jammwal, she said: “Vidyut Jammwal is an excellent co-star. Working as his lead was a great opportunity. While I was working with elephants, I also got to see firsthand what true discipline looks like through Vidyut. The way he maintains himself and inspires others is truly commendable. He often guided me through workouts as well.”
Pooja concluded by revealing her daily routine in the wild: “While shooting the film, I didn’t stay in a hotel; I lived right there in the forest. I had to go deep into the woods early every morning to meet the elephant. There was a small Ganpati temple under a tree in the forest. Every dawn, I would recite the Atharvashirsha before that Ganpati idol. Afterward, I would head to the area where the elephants were kept, find my elephant, and feed her. Then, all the elephants would go into the water to swim. I did this consistently for 10 days, and eventually, the elephant and I became the best of friends.”
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