After principal photography wrapped, executive producer George Harrison allegedly said of the movie's two lead stars Madonna and Sean Penn, "Penn is a pain in the arse . . . [while] she has to realize that you can be a fabulous person and be humble as well". Harrison said the experience was so stressful that he began smoking again, which might have contributed to his death from cancer at the age of 58.
A number of the crew got food poisoning while shooting on location in Asia.
Madonna said of executive producer George Harrison, "He's great, very understanding and sympathetic. He's given me more advice on how to deal with press, though, than how to make movies".
There were infestations of rats living under actors' trailers whilst on location shooting in Asia.