Actor Abhay Verma is in the news these days for playing the role of Indian Air Force officer RS Dhaliwal in ‘Operation Safed Sagar’. This role challenged him as an actor and gave him an opportunity to closely understand the unsung heroes of the country. Abhay says that the experiences of meeting the soldiers at the Air Force station, sitting in the MiG-21 and meeting former Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa were very emotional and inspiring for him. He considers meeting Dhaliwal’s family as a special honor of his career. He also spoke on war, family, uniform and sacrifice for the country. Question: How much impact did working in ‘Operation Safed Sagar’ have on your life? Answer: The only goal of acting for me is to become a better person every day. Whatever qualities I learn from my previous character, I should use them in the next project and become a better actor. Got a chance to play the heroes of our country in ‘Operation Safed Sagar’. With this, a huge responsibility was also felt. Today we sleep peacefully with our families, are proud of the country and our youth dream of joining the army, these unsung heroes have a huge contribution in this. As an actor, getting such a role is like an athlete being selected for the Olympics. Question: You were born on 27 July 1998 and Kargil Vijay Diwas was on 26 July 1999. What did you feel when you closely understood Kargil and Operation Safed Sagar? Answer: When the Kargil war happened, I was just one year old. I didn’t know anything at that time, but the word ‘Kargil’ had become very famous. Later learned about it through books. We have been hearing a lot about ‘Operation Vijay’, but the story of ‘Operation Safed Sagar’ had not come before us. When the director told me about it for the first time, I asked him – ‘Sir, did this really happen?’ The question was childish, but the story was so unbelievable that I couldn’t believe that it had happened and that we didn’t even know. The most important thing was that I had not come thinking about my hero beforehand. RS Dhaliwal became my hero while playing the character. His bravery, passion and courage impressed me a lot. Question: How did you realize the importance of your character when you met the people of the Air Force? Answer: When I met people at the Air Force station and told them that I was playing the character of RS Dhaliwal, there was a different sparkle in their eyes. His chest expanded with pride. A person shook my hand again and said, ‘Are you playing Dhali?’ Recently at night the police was checking alcohol. When I lowered the mirror, the constable looked at me twice and asked, “You have played the role of Dhali, right?” They shook hands again while leaving. It was special for me to feel the respect that people have for our heroes. Question: RS Dhaliwal was a man of few words, self-confident and fearless officer. How did you prepare to play them? Answer: At first I was scared, because he spoke very little and I spoke a lot. This was my first challenge. However, the real preparation was done by our director and writer. I feel that every person who wears the uniform is a person sent by God. He wears a uniform to save us, does his job without asking for anything. I have seen this quality in my mother and these heroes. They do something, but don’t tell about it. Don’t ask for medals. Just do your work. There is a line in our show also that uniform is not something that a common man can buy and wear. The one who gets a chance to wear it is above the common man. I kept preparing myself till the last day, but I think it is not possible to be completely like such people. We can only try to be like them. Question: How was the audition for this project? Answer: I had auditioned earlier. That audition took place in Mukesh Chhabra sir’s office. He tries to get me to audition for every project. I like the fact that even after doing some work in the industry, I don’t have any problem in giving auditions. After liking the audition, when I met the director, he told me in detail about ‘Operation Safed Sagar’. I was surprised that something like this has happened in our history and we don’t know much about it. The biggest joy for me was that I would get a chance to wear the uniform and play a man who is an example for the coming generation. Question: What was the biggest compliment you received from the audience? Answer: A person DMed me and wrote – ‘Quit acting, join the Air Force.’ Nothing can be a bigger compliment than this for me. Apart from this, Air Chief AP Singh ji met me and said, ‘Man, you are looking good. You have done an amazing job. This was a big deal for me. What can be a greater honor than when the senior Air Force officer praises and blesses your work? Question: How was the meeting with Dhaliwal’s daughter? Answer: Met his daughter during the screening. It was an emotional two-minute meeting. He didn’t know what to say to me and I didn’t know what to say to him. It seemed as if she was seeing a glimpse of her father in my eyes and I was seeing a part of Dhaliwal Sahab in her eyes. Both of us were at a loss for words. My only wish was that wherever Dhaliwal sir is, he should feel proud of us. Question: How was the experience of shooting with the Air Force station and MiG-21? Answer: When I went to the Air Force station for the first time, the first thing I did was to dial the phone. Background check also took place before going inside. But after going inside, the thing I felt most was unity. From senior to junior everyone was ready for each other. I thought how beautiful it would be if our entire country united like an Air Force base. Also got a chance to meet former Air Chief Marshal Birendra Singh Dhanoa sir. Despite being such a legend, he was the funniest person in the room. The simplicity of a person who took such big decisions and fought a war for the country was inspiring for me. It is difficult to describe in words the experience of sitting in a MiG-21. We are among the last few civilians and actors who got a chance to fly in the MiG-21. This aircraft fought many battles for us and also played an important role in Kargil. One day there was a low flying show of fighter jets in front of us. The jet was about one and a half kilometers away, but its noise was so loud that we had to stop the shooting. When we saw it going into the sky, mine and Siddharth sir’s eyes became moist. We hugged each other and thanked God that we got a chance to see this. Question: How did you play the aspect of emotions and family in the war story? Answer: I think that if one person from the family goes to the army, not just that person goes, the whole family goes with him. His wife also fights her own war and the child is also unknowingly a part of that struggle. A soldier is fighting for the country, but his family also stands behind him. Behind every successful soldier is another great soldier, who is managing the house and taking care of the family despite knowing that her husband may or may not return. For me, people and relationships are more important than war. I think there should not be war. Borders should be protected, but not war. Question: How did such a good relationship develop between the entire star cast? Answer: We have been together for about two and a half years and have become like brothers now. If there is good news about an artist, we feel that we are being praised. We have truly embraced the spirit of the ‘Golden Arrows’ and No. 17 Squadron. We have become each other’s wingmen. The biggest strength of this show is that winning alone is not a big victory, winning with everyone is a big thing. It is not just about the boys, Prajakta ma’am and Amrita Bakshi have also done a wonderful job. The character of the brave woman Alka Hauja has also been played very beautifully. Question: How much has your mother contributed to your journey? Answer: My mother is one of the biggest inspirations for me. I have seen the same thing in them too, that of doing something and not saying anything about it. When I met Dhaliwal Saheb’s family and saw that sparkle in their eyes, I felt that I had got my medal. He said that I have done a very good job. This is a huge honor for me, because I was playing this character keeping my hero in mind. Question: There is a MiG-21 on your T-shirt. What is the story behind this? Answer: Got a chance to wear Air Force uniform, but outside the Air Force, this T-shirt is my uniform. I wear it with pride. A few days before the screening, I had jokingly told Air Force officer Singha sir that you did not bring anything for me. He said that he will definitely bring it next time. I had forgotten. When he met me about a month later, he brought a MiG for me. Since then, I carry it with me whenever I get a chance. It’s not just a t-shirt for me. This is the memory of that character and the heroes of our country. MiG-21 has won battles for our country. Therefore, nothing could possibly be more precious and proud for me than this.
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‘आप एक्टिंग छोड़ो, एयरफोर्स जॉइन करो’: अभय वर्मा को मिला यह कॉम्प्लीमेंट, बोले- इससे बड़ा सम्मान मेरे लिए शायद कुछ हो ही नहीं सकता
