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Bollywood Hungama

Science/Tech / Bollywood Hungama

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EXCLUSIVE: Sumo Didi becomes the first film to be shot at Japans Sumo Temple

Sumo Didi, which has been streaming on Hindi Zee 5 from October 23, brings to life the true story of Hetal Dave, Indias first professional female sumo wrestler, whose journey challenged conventions and redefined what it means to pursue ones dreams against all odds. Sumo Didi has made history by becoming the first film ever to be shot at Japans Sumo Temple, a location deeply rooted in the tradition and culture of sumo wrestling. For Hetal, seeing her story come alive at a place so closely connected to the sport carried a deeply personal significance, even though she is yet to visit Japan herself. It has always been my dream to visit Japan. I couldnt make it there yet, but I am so, so happy that my film did. Being connected to Japanese games all my life, it feels out of this world that my movie was shot in the Mecca of sumo wrestling. It also helps the film and my story connect with the traditions of the game. My film being shot in Japan is a blessing for me. One day, I will visit there and get to experience it myself, shared Hetal Dave. For the actor bringing her journey to life, filming at the same location offered an opportunity to understand the sport beyond the physical demands of the role. Shriyam Bhagnani, who plays Hetal in the film, had spent months preparing for the character before arriving in Japan. Filming in Japan, especially at a place so closely connected to the traditions of sumo, was an incredibly special experience. By that point, I had spent months training for the role, so being in an environment where the sport has such deep cultural roots gave everything a different meaning, said Shriyam. She added, Until then, much of my understanding had come from training and preparing for the character. Being surrounded by the sport in its own cultural context helped me appreciate that sumo is much more than a physical contest. It carries a history, a discipline and a set of traditions that have been preserved over generations. The film had real sumo wrestlers from across the world travelling to be a part of the shoot. Among them was a wrestler who held the top position in the sport at the time of filming. For Shriyam, the experience of filming in Japan also reinforced the responsibility of portraying Hetals story with authenticity and respect. As an actor, those experiences are invaluable because they allow you to absorb details that you might not consciously think about while performing, but that ultimately influence how you inhabit a character. It made me feel even more responsible for portraying Hetals journey with authenticity and respect, she explained. Bringing Hetals journey to life also required extensive preparation from Shriyam. Hetal personally trained the actor for 10 months before filming began, focusing on mastering sumo postures alongside broader physical training to help her embody the character convincingly. The preparation was essential to capturing not just the physical aspects of the sport, but also the discipline and dedication that shaped Hetals journey. Reflecting on what the experience meant to her, Shriyam said, More than anything, it was a reminder of how far Hetals journey had taken her and how extraordinary it was that we were bringing her story to the screen. Also Read: Sumo Didi actor Shriyam Bhagnani says playing Hetal Dave pushed her physically and emotionally

26 Oct 2026 3:41 pm