11 Years Of Lootera: When Ranveer Singh had to be rescued on the sets with a chopper

Vikramaditya Motwane’s period drama filmLootera remains etched in Bollywood history not only for its storyline but also for the Herculean challenges faced during its production. Set against the wintry backdrop of Dalhousie, the film demanded authenticity, minimal CGI, and a commitment to realism that would test the mettle of the cast and crew.
Motwane was determined to capture the bone-chilling cold on screen.He insisted that the actors experience the frigid temperatures firsthand, their breath visible in the frosty air. But fate had other plans. When the crew arrived in Dalhousie in December, there was no snow, unexpected absence of the very element that was crucial to the film’s aesthetic.
January brought a sudden deluge of snow, transforming the landscape into a winter wonderland. However, the snowfall didn’t stop—it persisted relentlessly, burying the film set under layers of pristine white. “It was the largest snowfall in that area in 40 years,” Motwane revealed. The crew found themselves trapped in Dalhousie, their meticulously designed set collapsing under the weight of snow.
As if battling the elements wasn’t enough, Ranveer Singh, faced a personal ordeal. During a pivotal scene where he sported a bullet clip on his side, Ranveer’s back rebelled. Unbeknownst to him, the pain from the clip masked a deeper issue—a back spasm that intensified with each take. “Ranveer was gone. We had to literally chopper him out of there,” Motwane recounted.
The situation reached a critical point. With the set in ruins and Ranveer incapacitated, drastic measures were necessary. The decision was made: Ranveer would be airlifted from Dalhousie. The actor’s commitment to his role had taken a toll, and the production couldn’t afford further delays.
Undeterred, Motwane returned to Dalhousie in March, determined to salvage the film. The snow still blanketed the ground, but this time, they had a secret weapon—a snow machine expert flown in from England. With CGI enhancements, they recreated the wintry scenes, turning deep summer grass into a snowy wonderland.