When driver turned Arjun's best friend in Lucknow

Mumbai, April 23 (IANS) Debutant Arjun Kapoor befriended a driver named Avneesh Yadav while shooting near Lucknow for "Ishaqzaade". The driver became a reference point for the actor's character of a Uttar Pradesh-based boy for the film.

"Ishaqzaade" was shot in a small town called Hardoi near Lucknow.

Yadav has been bragging that he had actually turned Arjun from "Bombaiyya" to a "UP ka chhokra (UP-based boy)", and that he taught Arjun the local dialect, the way to walk, and conduct himself like a local, not from Lucknow, but from the state's interiors.

And one of Arjun's close friends confirms that Yadav is indeed telling the truth.

"Avneesh became Arjun's best friend in UP. Avneesh is a taxi driver whom Arjun met at the Lucknow airport," said the friend.

"On the journey from the airport to the hotel, Arjun got around talking with his driver and soon they hit it off. Before Avneesh dropped Arjun at his hotel, they had become buddies. Arjun suggested that Avneesh drive him all around Lucknow and Hardoi throughout his shooting," the friend added.

From that point till the shooting was over, Avneesh and Arjun were nearly inseparable.

The actor's friend added: "Avneesh, in fact, became a reference point for Arjun's character in 'Ishaqzaade'. Director Habib Faisal told Arjun to use Avneesh's mannerisms, body language and spoken language."

"In fact, Arjun's performance is finally modelled on Avneesh. You see Arjun had all the personality traits of a Juhu boy. Avneesh helped Arjun transform into a 'UP ka chhokra'."

The friendship also came as a golden opportunity for Avneesh, who ended up with a role in the film.

"Avneesh could've never imagined he would actually be sharing frames with the hero of the film. He was just happy mingling with the unit. Now he claims to his friends he is a Yashraj discovery. And he isn't wrong. Avneesh has given a very confident performance in his cameo."

Yadav and Arjun have remained in contact even after the actor returned to Mumbai.

Yadav can't wait for the film to open. He has decided to book an entire theatre for his family and friends.