Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jul 2: Actor Shahid Kapoor reportedly refused to step out of his vanity van during the shooting of Cocktail 2 in Delhi-NCR after the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed 500, prompting the production team to arrange multiple air purifiers despite the shoot being held outdoors.

Speaking on The Shivam Podcast, line producer Sumit Tyagi recalled that parts of the Homi Adajania-directed film, starring Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna, were shot in Delhi-NCR under hazardous pollution levels.

Tyagi said the production was informed that Shahid was unwilling to shoot in such conditions. To address his concerns, the team arranged five to six air purifiers, although the schedule was taking place at Cyber City in Gurugram.

"I wondered how air purifiers would help during an outdoor shoot. I was told it was just for satisfaction," Tyagi said.

He added that the air purifiers were procured at the last minute after Shahid reportedly said he would not leave his van. According to Tyagi, the actor wore a face mask throughout the shoot and removed it only while filming his scenes.

Tyagi, however, said Shahid's concerns were justified given the severe pollution levels. He noted that the air purifiers were more of a symbolic gesture than a practical solution, intended to assure the actor that the production had made every possible effort to accommodate his requests.

Describing Shahid's personality, Tyagi said the actor has a "temperamental" nature and prefers doing things on his own terms.

"He is the kind of person who decides what he wants to do at a given moment. Even if plans are in place, he follows what he feels is right," Tyagi said.

Cocktail 2, directed by Homi Adajania, has been enjoying a steady run at the box office despite receiving mixed reviews from critics. Shahid Kapoor will next be seen in the second season of Raj & DK's web series Farzi.