‘Can I please fake it?’ But DQ really wanted to: Bhagyashri Borse says that scene in Kaantha was real

Kaantha, starring Dulquer Salmaan, Samuthirakani, Rana Daggubati and Bhagyashri Borse, released in cinemas on 14 November. Directed by Selvamani Selvaraj, the period drama has been praised by audiences for its immersive recreation of a bygone era and the strong performances delivered by its ensemble cast. One moment that particularly grabbed attention was a scene in which Bhagyashri Borse repeatedly slaps Dulquer Salmaan.

Bhagyashri Borse Says the Slap Was Not Faked

Speaking to IANS, Bhagyashri Borse opened up about filming the intense sequence, revealing that the blows were not staged. She admitted she initially wanted to fake the action, but Dulquer Salmaan encouraged her to perform it for real to capture a more authentic reaction.

“It took me a lot of time, I was not ready to do it because I was like, ‘Can I please fake it?’ because I have never had to hit anybody,” she said. “But I think DQ really wanted that. He wanted that real expression to come out of him. So I had to do what my co-actor wanted me to do.”

Days earlier, Bhagyashri had shared a gratitude note on Instagram addressed to director Selvamani Selvaraj and co-stars Rana Daggubati and Dulquer Salmaan. She reflected on 30 March 2023 — the day she began filming — as the moment she truly became Kumari, her character in the film.

In her message to Dulquer, she wrote: “To my dearest co-actor Dulquer Salmaan, you’re a true ‘Nadippu Chakravarthy’ (emperor of acting). It was a great pleasure acting beside you and you’ve shined in every single frame. You’re an inspiration as an actor for us all!”

Kaantha is jointly produced by Rana Daggubati and Dulquer Salmaan under the Spirit Media and Wayfarer Films banners.