Vital to stay on right side of line dividing patriotism, jingoism: Adivi Sesh

By Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, March 1 (IANS) Actor Adivi Sesh, who will be seen as Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, the NSG commando who lost his life while rescuing many hostages during the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai, acknowledges the importance of not promoting jingoism through cinema.

Excerpts from an interview in which the actor talks about the process of playing a soldier so heroic:

Q. Congratulations, Adivi. How did this dream role come your way?

A. Yes, dream role is right. You'll find this hard to believe. But I lived with the dream of playing Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan for eleven years. Even when I was living in San Francisco, I was completely taken up by his grit. I felt he was my brother. That's how close I feel to him.

Q. So playing him on-screen is just a logical culmination of your dream?

A. You could say that. When Mahesh Babu, who is a co-producer on this project and his wife Namrata Shirodkar approached me with this offer, it felt unreal. How could I be offered a chance to play a character that I have lived with for so many years?

Q. Of late, films on the theme of national heroes and patriotism have almost become a formula. Isn't that a dangerous development?

A. Cinema is a reflection of society at large. I am a proud Indian and happy to see a surge of patriotism in our country. Movies on true national heroes is most welcome for the actor as much as the audience. The important thing is to stay on the right side of the line dividing patriotism from jingoism.

Q. So many biopics, many of them about army heroes, are being made. Does playing a real-life character mean an added responsibility for the actor?

A. Of course. It does for me. I can't speak for others. This is the first time I'm playing a real-life character, and that too one someone who is taught as a subject in numerous textbooks in Karnataka, Andhra and Telangana. It is a responsibility and one that I am taking very seriously. I am writing the film myself.

Q. Why aren't you directing it?

A. It wouldn't be possible for me to play the Major, write the film, and also direct it. I trust the director Shashikiran Tikka completely. He directed me in "Goodachari". I like working with a closely-knit team. The process of creativity becomes so much easier when you are working with the people you trust.

Q. Do you feel a special affiliation to Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan because he is a South Indian like you?

A. Well, I can't deny the fact that we both belong to the same region, and that does heighten the sense of kinship. But I'd be just as happy and comfortable playing a war hero from Punjab. I think playing a hero of this stature goes beyond cultural considerations. How Gujarati was Ben Kingsley who played Mahatma Gandhi?

Q. How much research is being done for the film and your character? Do you intend to meet the Major's family?

A. I have been interacting with Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan's parents for quite a while now. And I won't be wrong in saying that I am very close to Uncle and Aunty. I wouldn't like to dwell on my closeness to them as this would seem like a ploy to attract attention to our film.

Q. But surely you did reach out to them because of this film?

A. Yes, of course. There's no denying my selfish motive for getting to know them. Having known them closely for some time now, I can confidently say our relationship has gone beyond the film. Uncle and Aunty have enriched my life. I would've been poorer had I not known them.