Anushka Sharma has always had a phobia about bikes, so she was petrified when she had to hop on to one, riding pillion with Imran Khan during the shoot of Vishal Bhardwaj’s Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola. The two actors are working together for the first time and just before the scene, Imran

was talking endlessly about his newly-bought Ferrari. He even zoomed off on a short ride to get a feel of the Bullet. Seeing him drive the bike at jet speed, Anushka flatly refused to jump on.

She was eventually coaxed by production members but as soon as Imran picked up speed, she began screaming asking him to stop. “She freaked out completely, convinced that she would fall off the bike,” says a source present on the set. “Everyone, including Vishal, was laughing, convinced it was a joke. Only Imran realised that Anuksha was petrified and took her off for coffee.”

After half an hour’s chat with her, Imran realised Anushka’s fears were for real and assured her that he wouldn’t let anything happen to her. They went for the take. Imran didn’t speed up till needed. The shot was okayed and Anushka’s fears laid to rest.