Rana hid from wild elephants for 3 hours amid shoot?
What's the story
Actor Rana Daggubati recently shared a spine-chilling experience from the jungle while shooting for his film Aranya (2021). Speaking at a pre-release event for Mowgli, he revealed how he had to hide for three hours in complete darkness after encountering wild elephants in the forest. The actor spent six months in the woods during the making of Aranya.
Shooting ordeal
They were shooting in an elephant corridor
Daggubati revealed they were shooting in an elephant corridor and had overshot their time. "We were told we needed to leave by a certain time. But you know how films work, and we overshot. Suddenly, many people in the unit started running." "What happened was that wild elephants were crossing, and we all had to hide for some time without making any noise."
Jungle fear
'That was the 1st time I experienced...'
The Baahubali actor further added, "We were all there for about three hours in the jungle, which was pitch dark." "That was the first time I experienced how terrifying the jungle can be." Aranya (Telugu) was shot simultaneously in three languages: Tamil as Kaadan and Hindi as Haathi Mere Saathi. It also starred Vishnu Vishal and Pulkit Samrat. The film got a direct OTT release owing to COVID-19 restrictions.
Career highlights
Daggubati's recent projects and upcoming ventures
In 2025, Daggubati made a cameo in the post-credits scene of Teja Sajja-starrer Mirai. He also reprised his role as Bhallaladeva in SS Rajamouli's re-release of Baahubali: The Epic. Recently, he was seen as Inspector Devara aka Phoenix in Kaantha opposite Dulquer Salmaan, Bhagyashree Borse, and Samuthirakani. He will soon be seen in the Tamil film Parasakthi. This year, he also produced Kothapallilo Okappudu and Kaantha and presented Premante.