भंसाली के साथ ‘गंगूबाई’ में काम करके डर खत्म हुआ: अपनी अपकमिंग फिल्म पर एक्ट्रेस इंदिरा तिवारी बोलीं- वीरांगना का किरदार निभाना बहुत चैलेंजिंग था

The film Azad Bharat is going to be released on January 2 and it is a biopic of Neera Arya, which is a story full of courage, patriotism and inspiration. The special thing about this film is that Rupa Iyer has not only directed it but is also a producer and actor. Azad Bharat brings to the fore the untold histories where women freedom fighters sacrificed their lives for the country. In this film, Indira Tiwari has played the role of a brave woman, whose courage and struggle will shock you to the core. This film is a great blend of history, emotion and energy.

During a conversation with Dainik Bhaskar, Indira Tiwari spoke openly about her film experience, the challenges of the character and after working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, she no longer feels afraid of anyone.

In the film Azad Bharat, you are playing the role of a director, producer as well as an actor, what is the idea behind the story?

Roopa Iyer- I feel that I had a feeling of patriotism since childhood, which I am now expressing through films. I got inspiration for the film Azad Bharat from Netaji’s great granddaughter Rajshree Chaudhary Bose. There were many obstacles in making the film, but she used to tell me not to leave this film midway, it should reach the people. My courage remained intact due to his words. I wanted to bring on screen the stories of those unsung heroes who sacrificed their lives for the country.

During the research, I found that the Rani Jhansi Regiment formed by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose has never been mentioned properly, very little has been written about it even in the books. For this, I met the veterans of INA, from there I prepared the story through a fictional narration.

This is the story of those women who, under the leadership of Netaji, left their homes and joined the battalion for India’s independence and were ready to die for the country.

You are playing the role of freedom fighter Saraswati Rajamani in this film, how challenging was this role for you?

Indira Tiwari- I would say that after knowing the story of the film, there was no question of looking back. Immediately I said yes to the film. But yes, physically this character was very challenging for me. I also suffered serious injuries during the shooting of many scenes. It seemed that if there was recruitment in our army at this time, we would have been selected immediately, because our training was going on similarly.

From horse riding, gun firing to running and climbing a tree, I have done everything in this film. It is surprising that today if we face any problem during the shoot, there are people to help us, but there was no one for those women. When she got injured, she used to bear the pain by applying mud on it and was so strong that with just one of her sounds, the British would run away with their tails down.

During the shoot, was there any scene based on a true incident, which made you very emotional while shooting that scene?

Indira Tiwari- See, it is written in the books that she reached there, then this happened, that happened. But few things would have happened so easily. Even during period pain, she was ready to fight the enemies. Neera Arya, on whom this biopic is based, kills her husband to save Netaji. Their breasts are cut off in jail. After coming out of jail, she supports herself by sitting on the roadside and selling flowers.

There were many such moments while shooting this film, where I became very emotional.

Every actor dreams of working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and you have lived that dream, how was the experience?

Indira Tiwari-

Indira Tiwari- I think every artist should work with Bhansali sir at least once in his life. One gets to learn a lot from her by working in ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’. They just want one thing from you and that is that you don’t take things for granted. The attitude you had during the film audition should be the same while doing the film.

I am fortunate that I have been able to build a loving relationship with him. The way he used to give notes and the clarity he had in his thinking was really praiseworthy. Because of which even today whether the film is Black or Khamoshi, people like to watch them. After working with Bhansali sir, I am no longer afraid of anyone.