Corrie's Bhavna Limbachia reveals she spent a WEEK under the rubble to film Rana's heartbreaking death and defends show over backlash from LGBT community

CORRIE’S Bhavna Limbachia has revealed she spent a week under rubble filming Rana’s heartbreaking death.

Last night soap fans watched as Rana Habeeb was killed off after being crushed by the collapsed Underworld factory roof –  on the day she was expected to marry Kate Conner (Faye Brookes).

Discussing the dramatic scenes on today’s This Morning, Bhavna revealed the behind-the-scenes secrets about how they filmed it as she defended the show amid backlash from the LGBT community.

She told Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield: “They were quite intense and quite difficult. Probably the most challenging time in my career.

"I filmed under rubble for about a week. It was full on.

"I was put on a board every day with wheels on and they wheeled me in and out of the rubble every day, so that was interesting.

"We had goggles and masks to protect us from the dust, so that was a good challenge."

During the scenes Kate was seen having an emotional phone call with Rana as they tried to reach her in the rubble.

Interestingly Bhavna revealed the calls were actually made in real time rather than pretending to be on the phone, which is unusual for a soap.

She said:  “We wanted to make it as truthful and realistic as possible. We did the phone calls in real time and vice versa.  Faye came in to read in with me so that really helped a lot.”

Last night viewers were left heartbroken as Rana passed away in her wife Kate’s arms but many were outraged and slammed the long-running soap for not showing what would have been the show’s first gay marriage.

Taking to social media after the tear-jerking episode, fans accused ITV bosses of being party to soapland’s Bury Your Gays trope by killing off Rana.


The long-derided theme, which is particularly in prevalent in TV, prevents LGBTQ+ couples from having a happy ending and never last long-term.

Defending the decision to kill off her character, Bhavna said:"My decision to leave and be killed of wasn't meant to offend the LGBT+ community.

"It was done with the same way I’ve tried to portray the character throughout the years with truth and integrity.

"The decision was about two people being in love and pure regardless of age, sexuality and religion.

"The intention was never to offend the LGBT+ community. It was a modern day Romeo and Juliet."

Despite asking to be killed off, Bhavna admitted she had spent "weeks" racking her brain to think of a reason why Rana might leave Kana so her character wouldn't have to meet her maker – but she decided it was for the best for her to die.

She said: "It's the nicest place I've ever worked and I was getting comfortable.

"I would stay forever, but this was the only time before I have more responsibility to take a few risks, so I decided to leave.

"I was trying to come up with reasons for why Rana would leave Kate. I was racking my brains for weeks trying to come up with a reason, but the truth is she would never leave Kate.

"The only way they could be apart is if the decision was taking out of their hands."


Got a story? email [email protected] or call us direct on 02077824220.

We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.


Source: Read Full Article