There are more problems shooting in Mumbai than J&K: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra

Filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, who shot his home production Teen Thay Bhai in Jammu & Kashmir's famous tourist town Gulmarg for more than a month, has said people harbour "wrong notion" about the state.

Mehra, who is producing the movie directed by debutant Mrighdeep Lamba, said that the film was shot at Gulmarg, in Baramula district, in snow for 44 days.

"It was so wonderful. We could not have asked for more peaceful time anywhere. The local authorities, state government and especially the people were so helpful. I don't know why everybody keeps talking about Kashmir with wrong notion," he said.

J&K is the most beautiful place on earth. There are more problems shooting in Mumbai streets or any where else in the country than in Kashmir, Mehra said.

Teen Thay Bhai is a hilarious comedy revolving around three brothers, and whether the lure of money can bring them together as they can't stand the sight of each other.

Mehra said Lamba narrated the script to him two years ago. "It was a wonderful narration. I was emotionally moved by the script and took a decision to produce it."

Speaking about the cast, Mehra said he finalises his cast as per the needs of the story.

"This film did not require a big star cast and has a budget of less than Rs8 crore. We did not need a star to get us the desired box office opening and thought we will go with the best casting possible."

The 48-year-old filmmaker said he was impressed with Lamba's story telling technique. "The movie is spanned across two days in a snow-capped cabin and there are flashbacks in between. The story telling is imaginative."

"I feel the strong points about the movie are performances and music. Both have excelled. It is the best albums in recent times," the Rang De Basanti director said.

Speaking about television actress Ragini Khanna, who makes her film debut with Teen Thay Bhai, Mehra said he was not aware that she was already a household name. "When I saw the rushes, I said ..wow! what a wonderful actress and I am so jealous that I am not directing her."

He said when Khanna was finalised for the cast, he thought she was making her acting debut. It was later that he came to know that she was an established name on TV. "Ragini is like a breath of fresh air."

Khanna, the only female lead in the film, plays the love interest of actor Deepak Dobriyal. The movie, which also stars Om Puri and Shreyas Talpade, will hit the theatres on April one.