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Chief among the interview subjects interviewed for the film was Hemant Oberoi, one of India's foremost chefs, who has cooked for luminaries from Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie to Barack Obama and Princess Diana. Chef Oberoi, played in the film by actor Anupam Kher, was present in the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel during those fateful days, and made crucial decisions to protect his staff and guests which ultimately saved dozens if not hundreds of lives. He was understandably hesitant upon hearing that a film of the events was going to be made. "We lost a lot of lives and so many families were affected," explained Chef Oberoi, "and people can sometimes be insensitive to that. But [director] Anthony Maras came down to my office and I was surprised because he had a lot of information already about the hotel and he carefully explained the stories he hoped to tell. He wanted to hear my memories of the events - but also he wanted to know about how we rebuilt the hotel so quickly."
Filmmaker Anthony Maras remains awestruck by the many examples of bravery to emerge from the attacks. He said: "Taj kitchen workers stuffed baking trays under their shirts, makeshift bulletproof vests, as they shielded patrons from machine-gun fire. Guests lowered fellow travelers out of windows using ropes made of knotted bed sheets. Some Taj staff members led others through hidden corridors to safety outside, only to re-enter the hotel, and look for more people to save." Inspired by the courage and selflessness displayed amid such a tsunami of violence, Maras was determined to tell their stories on film.
This film is "based on hundreds of hours of interviews with survivors and witnesses" according to 'The Conversation'.
The filmmakers were given access to original transcripts of intercepted cell (mobile) calls between the ten terrorists and their handlers.
The real-life Chef Oberoi shared his feelings about actor Anupam Kher, who played him, and his performance portraying him. Oberoi said: "He does a phenomenal job in the film, very good and very convincing in his acting. I had a chance to tell him that at the Toronto [International] Film Festival, where the movie was launched, and he said something very special to me in response." Actor Anupam Kher's words to the real life Chef Oberoi were these: "I hope I did justice to your life and your experience."
A memorial monument in 2010 was erected in the lobby at the Taj Palace Hotel to commemorate the victims and fatalities from the 2008 siege.