‘Shershaah’ produced by Karan Johar and Shabbir Boxwalla, starring Siddharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani, has hit the bull’s eye. The film, directed by Vishnuvardhan, is getting a very good amount of appreciation. It is based on the life of Captain Vikram Batra, who laid down his life for India in the 1999 Kargil War.
Here’s Captain Vikram Batra’s brother Vishal Batra talking to ETimes, after the film released online:
‘Shershaah’ has not just received good reviews but people who are seeing it are loving it…
It is heartwarming to see that a film based on my late brother is being appreciated.
Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani have done full justice to it…
Absolutely.
Do you think that ‘Shershaah’ is Sidharth’s best performance till date?
Hundred per cent. It is never easy to play someone per se. Sidharth put in a lot of sweat, toil, and labour into his role. Even Kiara as Dimple has been very convincing.
Were Dimple and Captain Vikram Batra engaged?
Dimple and Vikram were not engaged. It hurts to read wrong reports in the media and I just hope that everyone who matters is reading this and does not do goof-ups in their write-ups hereafter. People who have written that she was his mangetar (fiancée) have just been silly.
I must clarify here that the picture of Dimple too that has been floating in the media, where it is claimed in a group picture that she’s standing beside my brother- is not the correct one. That girl is Sidharth’s classmate and not Dimple.
The last rites scene was shot in Palanpur in the same crematorium where Captain Vikram’s last rites were performed and you helped to get the shooting done…
That I guess was the most difficult scene to shoot. About 30,000 people were gathered. Yes, I helped the ‘Shershaah’ makers to obtain the required permission. And, there were real Army personnel and a few local personnel from Palanpur as well who were in attendance in that scene; they had to pass by the spot where the soldier lay.
Actually, the makers of ‘Shershaah’ got stuck in many places. I then did my bit to call up the Army officials. I wanted to do this for my brother. I wanted to see Vikram again.
Must have been very tough on you…
I have been keeping a brave front in the media, so far. And I kept a brave front during the shoot too, wherever I was present. What more can I say?
Dimple did not attend the ‘Shershaah’ premiere in Delhi…
Yes, for personal reasons.
But you were the one who arranged the meeting between her and Kiara Advani, right?
Yes, I did help in initiating that meeting. But Kiara met Dimple one-on-one at her hotel. I think they chatted for 3-4 hours at least.
Sorry but a personal question. Did you tell Dimple at any point after Captain Vikram Batra passed away that she should get married?
Yes, I did. Even my parents told her.
Any idea if her parents did?
I guess they must have. Here I must tell you Dimple’s last words to me before my brother passed away.
Yes, please…
I remember Dimple and I were having lunch together, six days before the ill-fated day. She had come to see me off; I was headed to Delhi for some work. She told me: ‘Jab Vikram vapas aa jayega toh aap hamari shaadi mein nachoge na?’ (After Vikram comes back, you’ll dance at our wedding na?). I said, ‘Of course, nachunga’ (I will definitely dance).
Please continue…
We were looking at getting them married soon, no doubt. But let me reiterate here that the engagement hadn’t happened.
How do you pay homage to your brother now?
I have a beautiful picture of Vikram in my drawing room. After I finish my puja every morning, I go up to the picture and salute.
I also have a beautiful picture of him in my office cabin. It’s at my eye level. When I sit in my cabin, I first see Vikram. When I am about to get up and leave the office, I see Vikram.
