The gorgeous TV actress Mouni Roy, who is making her Bollywood debut with Reema Katgi’s Gold this August, learned firsthand what it is to be a public victim of Bollywood’s ultimate prankster – her co-star and husband in the 1948 historical sports drama, superstar Akshay Kumar.
The actors were on the sets of the Excel Entertainment production at Kamalistan Studios this afternoon shooting a song for Gold when Akshay happened to sneakily get his hands on Mouni’s cell phone. Now it is widely known in Bollywood that Akshay spares no chance to prank his co-stars. And in the chaos that ensued when the director called a break, the actor quickly texted a message to the film’s producer Ritesh Sidhwani from Mouni’s phone.
The message was innocent enough and went on to thank Ritesh for the great opportunity to feature in the wonderful song. Only the fun-loving Akshay mischievously signed it “Love and Kisses” from Mouni Roy.
Ritesh’s reaction to this unusual message must no doubt have been priceless, but is not known. However, the producer chivalrously replied to “Mouni Roy” assuring her it was no big deal and thanks ought to go to Reema Katgi and others who were putting the song together.
When her phone pinged with the delivery notification, Mouni read Ritesh’s message in silent disbelief. Then looked frantically at her phone and was horrified to find the message was in response to the “Love and Kisses” text sent in her name to the producer.
The entire set, which was in on the joke, watched in amusement as a distraught Mouni looked around in bewilderment for an explanation. Finding his co-star close to tears, Akshay grinning hugely owned up to the prank and was overwhelmed when Mouni buried her face in her hands. The actor, who has stuck posters on the backs of co-stars and frightened them with lizards among other tricks, was heard pacifying the actress, “It’s a joke, don’t cry, or I won’t pull your leg again.”
Though Mouni was stunned and embarrassed at the time, she laughingly told PeepingMoon.com, “It was all fun and good humour on the sets.” Others who have learned not to leave their phones unattended when shooting with Akshay include Jackie Shroff who made Brothers with him. Jackie said, “Akshay texted random people ‘I Love You’ from my phone... including some guys! You just have to leave your phone around him for one second and you will be in trouble.”
