Nidhi Subbaiah shot in 53 degree temperature for her 'Direct Ishq' song ‘Ganga Maiyya’!

Actress Nidhi Subbaiah was last seen in the romcom outing Ajab Ghazab Love. From playing a cool chic, it was time for her to move into a rustic zone with Direct Ishq, a movie which has been set in Banaras. In an author backed role where she plays the part of an aspiring rock-star from the holy city, Nidhi knew that she had to look and act the part.

But, she wasn't prepared for the hardships that were on the way to glory.

"You make it sound really scary, though trust me, I enjoyed every bit of it," reveals Nidhi, who is said to have delivered her most 'bindaas' performance ever in the romantic musical entertainer, "Yes, Direct Ishq is by all means the toughest role of my life. The weather conditions were really tough."

Considering the fact that she also had to be seen in rockstar outfit for a major part of the movie, leather pants and boots were everyday outfits.

The first step in this direction was to prepare for the role, which means developing the kind of body language that goes with a rockstar.

"I went to YouTube and checked out many videos of live performances. I kept referring to notes for almost 25 days of the shooting. I designed a particular look for myself too. However, if this required good work, there were excruciating weather conditions to deal with as well. With the temperature touching 53 degrees, you can well imagine how it must have felt to shoot outdoors," reveals Nidhi.

It was all in good time though for Nidhi.

"Not just 'Ganga Maiyya', I had to stress myself for Mera Kissa as well. I must have given my body so much pain while shooting these rock tracks that my neck was sprained in a matter few days. However, when I look back at the results, it was all worth it," she tells.

Direct Ishq’s actor Rajniesh Duggall steps in to resolve brawl with BHU students!

It could well have turned from Direct Ishq to 'Direct War', had it not been some quick thinking on part of Rajniesh Duggall to prevent it all. All of this happened at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, where a major portion of the actor's forthcoming movie Direct Ishq was being shot. These were early days at the shoot and the film's crew was still getting familiarized to the locations that had been reserved for the shoot.

"The makers had taken all the relevant permissions from the university, and hence it was pretty much expected that the shoot will go on smoothly," informs a senior unit member, "However, in the early days itself, there was some trouble in store when a key sequence was underway at the university's library. Our cinematographer was facing some difficulty in setting the shot since there were certain students who were continuously appearing in the frame."

Though director Rajiv S. Ruia and his team of assistants and crowd controllers were trying their best to clear up the frame, enthusiasm amongst the students was at its peak, as a result of which tension starting building up.

"In this atmosphere, a scuffle broke between the production team members and a couple of students, and soon there were verbal volleys being thrown around as well. For director Ruia and cinematographer Suresh Beesaveni, this was a worrisome moment as it seemed that the situation would soon go out of hand," the unit member continues.

This is where Rajniesh decided to take things in his hands and stepped in to resolve the situation. Though it was a risky move, considering the fact that his Khatron Ke Khiladi stint had already made him a popular face amongst youth, and hence risked being mobbed, Rajniesh - along with his co-star Arjun Bijlani and director Rajiv S. Ruia did walk up to the students.

"The trio had a polite discussion with the students and explained to them how it was in the best interest of everyone to allow the shoot proceed smoothly," the source explains.

Further masterstroke was played when the leader of the agitated group was called aside and offered the position of security in-charge for the rest of the shoot. Unexpectedly, the ones who were perceived to be a threat to the Banaras schedule were now the most supporting of the lot, and ensured that the shoot went on comfortably till the unit called packed up on the last date.

On contacted, Rajniesh told, "Well, such things happen. The good thing is that there was no damage done on either side. All is well that ends well."