by ASJAD NAZIR.
An act of bravery.
GURMEET CHOUDHARY BRINGS A REAL LIFE LEGACY TO THE SCREEN IN PALTAN.
DIRECTOR JP Dutta completes his war trilogy with newly-released film Paltan, which
revolves around an important battle in 1967 where an outnumbered Indian army
defeated China.
Like his previous two war epics Border and LOC: Kargil, he has assembled a talented cast to celebrate the bravery of Indian armed forces.
One of the key roles is being played by rapidly-rising star Gurmeet Choudhary, who put
his heart and soul into a very demanding role.
Paltan also has an added resonance for the TV actor-turned-Bollywood star because he
hails from a proud military family and grew up surrounded by stories of the Indian army.
Eastern Eye caught up with Gurmeet during the promotional trail of Paltan to talk about the film, friendship, the importance of keeping history alive and more...
You are a very talented actor, but is the biggest challenge finding great roles?
Honestly speaking, I don’t think it’s a challenge to find big roles because we have so many talented people creating great characters.
Working with the right people can make a simple character look great onscreen, so it’s
also up to the artists in how much they put in. So another important aspect is your own
hard work. Then finally, destiny plays a big role I feel.
Is searching for the right roles why you are so picky with the projects you do?
I feel as an artist you should experiment with yourself and do different kinds of work that push your limits as a performer. I believe that is what us artist/actors should do.
It may be more challenging for you, as well as being demanding, but that makes the work more interesting for you and the audiences.
What did you like about Paltan?
Paltan is a movie very close to me as I’m playing an army man. My father is a retired army personnel and he always wanted me to join the army. So putting on that uniform had an added resonance. I have been a big fan of JP Dutta sir and when I found out he was making another film about the army, I thought: ‘Wow’.
When I met him, I was wearing army printed clothes and looking like an army man. I said: ‘JP sir, I am a big fan, I really want to work with you and will give my 200 per cent’. Sir told me; ‘Okay Gurmeet, you are doing Paltan’. So it was like a dream come true.
Tell us about Paltan and the character that you play?
Paltan is based on the Indo-China war of 1967 where our brave army fought to secure our boundaries and showed China what defeat looks like. I’m playing the character of Captain Prithvi Singh Dagar, who hails from Haryana and was one of the heroes of that war.
How aware were you of this battle before starting work on Paltan?
I have known about the various wars and other stuff because I belong to a family where a lot of my relatives have served in the armed forces, including my father.
So I’ve always been travelling with them, was born in an army hospital, studied at an army school and stayed in the cantonment areas where he was posted.
What was the biggest challenge of playing this character?
We were shooting in Ladakh in freezing temperatures and in areas where oxygen levels were really low. But with time we got used to it and had an amazing schedule.
What is your favourite moment in the movie?
Paltan has many great moments audiences will connect with. What made this project really special is that there were great moments off-screen where all of us used to come together and have a great time doing mischief, including playing pranks on each other.
Also with cellular network an issue on the sets, it meant that we spent extra timing bonding and having fun together.
You are very patriotic. How did you feel putting on the uniform?
It was a dream come true for me. Also experiencing the hardships and trials that our brave soldiers face for us was humbling. They secure the boundaries so we can live securely, and that is something we should all cherish.
What is JP Dutta like as a director?
He is a filmmaker and a person with a great vision, and to work with a veteran as great as him is really a milestone for me in itself. I call him ‘God’ and his contact on my phone is also saved as ‘God’.
JP Dutta said there was a strong bond between the actors; how much did that help you?
When you are on location, especially one that has demanding climatic conditions and other unexpected challenges, the bond between actors is important as it helps ease the pressure.
We all bonded really well and everyone worked hard, which also connected us all. That bonding continued after the shooting ended.
Can you share a memorable moment from shooting Paltan?
We were shooting for a war sequence and had real ammunition with us. (Laughs) When the director said: ‘Cut’, we were like: ‘Please don’t turn the gun towards me!’.
Who are you hoping Paltan appeals to?
I would not say I want it to ‘appeal to’, but for me fans, audiences and the common man have always been important. I, like other artists, work hard only for them.
I feel they are the ones who can understand what we have tried to do and will take something away from Paltan. Apart from this, the main part is I hope I have done justice to the character I’m playing, who is a hero that should not be forgotten.
Just how important is it to keep history like this alive?
It is very important, especially as a way to educate the younger generation about these brave personnel and soldiers of the armed forces. They sacrificed everything for our safety and cared more about the country than their own lives.
What can we expect next from you?
You can expect me to carry on working very hard. I have a set of projects lined up after Paltan and I will definitely share details of them when the time is right. Also I recently signed a three-film contract with Mr JP Dutta, which I am thrilled about.
What is your biggest motivating factor?
I guess it’s the ambition in me to be giving my best to whatever I do and always pushing myself beyond the limits.
How strong or big is your paltan of friends in real life?
(Smiles) I love my work, but friends and family are a very integral part of my life. They mean a lot, giving me a lot of advice and support. Friendship for me is an integral bond when I’m not working. We all hang out and have fun together whenever possible.
You are physically very fit like a soldier; can you give us an exercise tip?
Fitness is not necessarily about just going to the gym. You can do any kind of work-out, including just going for a run. There is always something that can be done to keep yourself fit, like going for a walk. Eat clean too.
What would be a dream role for you?
I’m a black belt in karate, so would love to do an all-out action film one day.
How do you feel ahead of the Paltan release?
Honestly speaking, I have a mixture of feelings including the excitement of audiences watching. Promotions have been in full swing and it has just been a countdown to its release.
I am proud of the entire team who has worked on this and am thankful to have been part of it.
Finally, why should we watch Paltan?
Paltan is a story about the events that led to Sikkim remaining an Indian territory. It is a story about heroes that not many people know about, who despite being outnumbered took on the Chinese and emerged victorious in 1967.
- Paltan is in cinemas now.
