06 December,2010 08:50 AM IST | | Upala KBR
Leander Paes refuses to take off "lucky charm" while shooting for Rajdhani Express
Leander Paes who is currently shooting for producer-director Ashok Kohli's Rajdhani Express had a heated argument with his director over refusing to take off a bracelet for the shoot.
Says a source, "Defence Minister P Chidambaram's son Kartik gifted Leander the bracelet during the Davis Cup. Whenever Lee has worn it, he has won for India. The bracelet is like his lucky charm.
Leander Paes and the bracelet
On the first day of the Rajdhani Express shoot, director Ashok Kohli asked him to take off the bracelet but Lee flatly refused."
The source adds, "Leander plays an ordinary man in the film and Ashok felt that the expensive bracelet wouldn't go with his character.
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But he was equally adamant. He went on to explain the significance of the bracelet and said it is a limited edition India bracelet which very few people have been given and has been created as the ultimate symbol of patriotism and love for the country.
Leander told his director that he never takes off the bracelet; not even during his matches; events; so he saw no reason to take it off during his shoot."
Ashok Kohli's son Gautam says, "It's a limited edition bracelet issued by Kartik Chidambaram. He had to fight a case to get the bracelet approved.
Leander went on to win the Davis Cup after wearing it.
My father felt that that it might go against Leander's character as Rajdhani Express is the journey of an ordinary man on train from Delhi to MumbaiMy father understood Leander's sentiment. Now it's become a part of his character and completely blends in."
