The iconic climax of “Om Shanti Om” where Shah Rukh Khan’s Om tries to rescue Deepika Padukone’s Shantipriya from a burning set is etched in Bollywood memory. But behind that powerful scene lay a real-life nightmare. Action director Sham Kaushal recently revealed that the entire set was engulfed in real fire, with over 100 people, including the lead cast and crew, inside during the shoot.
In a candid interview with Hindi Rush, Sham said, “There was no VFX. We lit a real fire on that set. Shah Rukh, Deepika, three cameramen, and 60 of my unit members were inside. Around 100 people were surrounded by flames.”
Kaushal admitted he was under immense emotional and physical pressure during the shoot. The safety of the actors and crew rested solely on his shoulders, and any small error could have resulted in tragedy.
“I was so stressed. We had to douse the fire within seconds of lighting it. One small mistake, and things could have gone very wrong,” he said. “I swear by God, I went to the side of the set and cried multiple times. I felt like I would have a heart attack.”
Om Shanti Om, directed by Farah Khan and released in 2007, became a blockbuster. It also launched Deepika Padukone’s career. While the film was praised for its story, music, and star-studded cameos including Salman Khan, Rekha, Dharmendra, and Shilpa Shetty, the climax scene stood out for its emotional impact and visual intensity.