Thaindian News

From the heat-humidity of Pataudi near India’s capital Delhi, Oscar winner Julia Roberts (Pretty Woman) is soon moving to “world’s wettest place” Cherrapunji in northeast India for the next leg of the shooting of “Eat, Pray, Love”, according to reports.

Director Ryan Murphy (Nip/Tuck) reportedly wants to shoot the rains of Cherrapunji, and after winding up the shooting in/around current site of Ashram Harimandir hermitage, the cast and crew will go to Cherrapunji. Roberts visited nearby village of Mirzapur for shooting, where large number of area villagers reportedly congregated to have a look at her. The shooting is also reportedly planned in a Ram Mandir, bajra (millet) fields, and Pataudi Railway Station, besides the Ashram.

Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, urged Roberts to visit fascinating Hindu temples in Meghalaya and nearby Assam while shooting in Cherrapunji area to explore her spirituality further. It would complement her interest in yoga and all things Indian, Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, added.

The Pataudi Palace Heritage Hotel near the shooting venue, built in 1935, however, is reportedly completely booked for Roberts and her entourage till October ten, where hotel staff addresses her as “Juliaji” out of respect. It was official home of the last Nawab of Pataudi and former India cricket team captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and his wife Filmfare winner Sharmila Tagore (Aradhana), son Filmfare winner Saif Ali Khan (Hum Tum), and daughter Soha Ali Khan (Rang De Basanti)- all Bollywood stars.

After Cherrapunji stint, Roberts will reportedly head to Indonesia to shoot the final and third part of the film. She has already shot in New York and Italy before going to India.

Aimed at a release in 2011, “Eat, Love, Pray” also stars Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men), Richard Jenkins (The Visitor), Viola Davis (Doubt), Billy Crudup (Almost Famous), James Franco (Pineapple Express), Luca Argentero (Lezioni di cioccolato), etc.

Cherrapunji area in Meghalaya state, which holds the record of annual rainfall (1860-61) of about 905 inches, is inhabited by Khasis who unlike most of India follow matrilineal culture, where husband lives with wife’s family and children take mother’s surname.

-Sampurn Media