Does the term ?Chambal Ke Daaku? (Chambal dacoits) ring a bell? We all thought that the dacoits from Chambal are characters one reads about only in books.
But here?s a true incident where the lead protagonist and writer of Zee TV?s Jhansi Ki Rani had an interesting tryst with them.
Actress Kratika Sengar (who plays the Rani) and Zaidi Saab (writer) were travelling for a promotional activity from Lucknow to Jaipur by road. Since both of them were tired after the day?s activities, they lost track of time and fell asleep, enjoying the slight nip in the air.
The driver in a hurry to reach the destination sped along a deserted highway. Midway, the passengers of the car were woken up from their deep slumber by vigorous tapping on the windows.
Before Kratika and Zaidi Saab could take stock of the situation, they realized that they have been surrounded by some ferocious looking dacoits.
Though Kratika enacts the role of Jhansi Ki Rani in reel life but it?s a different ball game altogether when you are stranded in the middle of a lonely highway and held at gunpoint in real life.
As instructed everybody removed their valuables and handed over to the dacoits.
Just when the driver was ready to start the engine, one of the dacoits saw a big sticker on the car?.The leader of the group pointed the light at the windscreen and inquired about the ?Jhansi ki Rani? sticker on their car. Zaidi Saab stepped out and explained that it?s a historical serial which is currently running on Zee TV and he is the story writer.
No sooner did he say this than the Sardar flung himself at Zaidi Saab?s feet and others followed suit within a fraction of a second. Z
aidi Saab had to pinch himself to realize he was not dreaming ? the same people who stripped them off their last piece of valuables a few minutes ago were all lying at his feet.
Slowly the leader of the gang got up and with folded hands and begged for forgiveness.
He said that Rani Laxmibai is revered in his whole community and all of them are huge fans of the show. They have religiously watched every episode.
The leader of the gang returned all their belongings and escorted them to a safe place in the highway. Before leaving they even stopped by a dhaba and ordered the owner to serve their terrified guests a sumptuous meal.
The gang left seeking forgiveness for the nth time and instructed the driver to take a particular route, which will save them the trouble of being attacked for a second time by other dacoits later.
When the dacoits had left, Kratika summoned up enough courage to ask the dhaba owner, ?Who were they??
The owner was dumbfounded on being asked such a question since he had just seen Kratika being escorted by the gang.
Kratika had to explain the entire situation after which the owned said, ?They are the infamous Chambal Ke Daaku?.
The look on Kratika?s face on hearing this must surely have been precious!