The turban trouble of Abhishek Bachchan in 'Umrao Jaan'

Abhishek Bachchan faced a unique problem while shooting for Umrao Jaan that stars the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai in the title role.

Reports are that since the film required actors to be garbed in period costumes and lots of jewellery, it would take a long time for the actors – Abhishek, Ash and others – to get ready for the shot.

But Abhishek had an additional burden – the ‘saafa’ or traditional turban – which was so long that it took at least ten minutes to tie it around his head.

Director J.P. Dutta had appointed a special ‘saafawala’ to be around Abhishek whenever he needed the turban to be tied around his head.

The saafawala would tie it around Abhishek’s head just before a shot, and in-between shots, Abhishek would take it off as he found it cumbersome.

Things were going on smoothly till one day the saafawala simply disappeared. Everyone got busy looking for the saafawala and the shoot invariably got delayed.

Finally, the unit came up with a solution and one of the production hands was taught how to tie the saafa and was positioned next to Abhishek throughout the shoot.

Only then did Abhishek’s saafa problems come to an end.

'Umrao Jaan' is scheduled to release on October 20, 2006.