It's
become
the
norm
rather
than
the
exception
to
do
favours
for
friends
by
doing
cameos
and
item
songs
for
free
in
their
projects.
Amitabh
Bachchan
returned
Shahrukh
Khan's
cheque
after
doing
a
cameo
in
his
home
production,
Paheli.
Now
Abhishek
is
doing
the
same.
The
Junior
B
recently
shot
for
an
item
number
for
Apoorva
Lakhia's
Mission
Istaanbul
sans
any
compensation
leaving
Popcorn
producer
Suniel
Shetty
stunned!
An
overwhelmed
Suniel
Shetty
says,
"Abhishek
hadn't
taken
a
single
paisa
even
when
he
shot
for
One
Love
in
Popcorn's
Rakht." He
adds,
"The
funny
thing
is
Abhishek
initially
agreed
to
accept
the
money
but
then
sent
the
cheque
back
quietly
after
he
finished
shooting.
He
does
not
accept
gifts
so
it
has
become
very
difficult
for
me.
After
shooting
for
the
song,
Nobody
Like
You
he
quietly
sent
the
cheque
back
to
the
Popcorn
office."
Suniel
adds
that
Abhishek's
item
number
was
part
of
the
script
but
there
were
several
date
problems.
"He
was
shooting
for
Karan's
(Johar)
Dostana.
It
was
gracious
of
Karan
to
let
him
go.
Abhishek
would
shoot
during
the
day
for
Karan
and
shoot
at
night
for
us
at
Film
City.
In
between
breaks,
he
would
sleep
in
his
van.
More
than
returning
my
money,
I
was
touched
by
that
effort.
Abhishek
would
be
so
tired
shooting
for
two
shifts
but
he
always
came
on
time
and
shot
till
he
was
required."
Suniel
adds
that
it's
great
having
Abhishek
on
the
sets.
"He
takes
over
the
production
and
when
he
does,
we
chill.
While
shooting
the
song,
he'd
tell
me
to
go
home,
drink
milk
and
go
to
sleep
by
10
pm
as
he
knows
I
sleep
early."
Suniel
says
Abhishek's
item
number
"is
a
hip-hop,
peppy
number
choreographed
by
Rajiv
Goswami.
Chirantan
has
scored
the
music."
Co-producer
Shabbir
Boxwalla
adds
about
the
song.
"Abhishek
has
danced
with
VJ
Pia
Trivedi.
Bhool
Bhulaiyya
singer
Neeraj
has
rendered
the
song.
It's
a
pre-climax
number
where
Zayed
and
Vivek
are
on
a
mission
in
a
hotel
to
get
some
vital
information.
The
styling
has
been
done
by
Falguni.
The
dark
and
stark
look
has
been
conceptualised
by
director
Apoorva
Lakhia
while
the
sets
have
been
done
by
Suniel
Mevrekar."
Boxwalla
adds,
"Abhishek
is
great
fun
on
the
sets.
He
would
play
pranks
on
the
assistants
and
refused
to
dance
till
Apoorva
danced
first.
It
was
then
we
realised
that
Apoorva
is
a
good
dancer
too."
Story first published: Monday, July 7, 2008, 12:40 [IST]