New Delhi Sanjay Suri who plays a young Kashmiri politician in the upcoming film ‘Sikandar’ has dismissed any real life comparisons by saying that his character in the movie is fictional.
“I play a Kashmiri politician, a reformed militant leader, and no, the role is not inspired by any living person.
It is entirely fictional. I play a complex character who works towards bringing peace in the region,” the actor told reporters from Mumbai.
The 38-year-old actor who spent his childhood and youth, in the troubled state, said that he chose to do the film as it gave him an opportunity to return back home, after 18 years.
“The reason I said yes to the film, first of all I liked the part and equally important, it gave me the opportunity to go back home after 18 years. I left Kashmir when I was 19, at the peak of the mass migration of Hindus from the state. And I went back, saw my school, the house I grew up in, met some old friends. It was a great experience.” said Suri.
The film which was shot entirely in Kashmir revolves around a budding football player in Kashmir, whose life changes when he discovers a hidden gun. Suri who is a part of an ensemble cast in the film, which includes Madhavan and young actors Parzan Dastur and Ayesha Kapoor, said that the story had a universal theme.
“The story of the film is generic, it could be placed in any region of the world facing violence. It could be set in Palestine or Iraq. It is about a child, his aspirations and challenges while growing up in a violent atmosphere. The story portrays both loss and redemption.” said the actor whose other film, Nandita Das’ ‘Firaaq’ is winning rave reviews.
“Firaaq has been travelling to various film festivals.
It won the best film award at the Kara Film Festival in Karachi and at the Dubai International film festival, amongst others. So I am really happy, though I have not been able to attend all events where it won” said Suri.
The actor comes from a completely non-filmi background, but has gradually established himself as a powerful performer in the industry populated with star offsprings.
Suri, who tasted critical acclaim for offbeat films like ‘Jhankar Beats’ and ‘My Brother Nikhil’ features as a liberal Muslim facing ideological dilemmas in post riots Gujarat in ‘Firaaq’.
And the actor was all praise for his director Nandita Das,who made her directorial debut with the film, after a impressing career as an actor.
“Nandita is a director with great clarity. Because she is an actor herself, she gives you the freedom to interpret a scene while remaining within the prescribed framework.”
‘Firaaq’ which boasts of a formidable cast including veterans Naseeruddin Shah, Paresh Rawal, Deepti Naval has been one of many films where Suri is a part of an ensemble cast. But the actor does not seem to mind sharing the spot light.
“My priority is the story and my part. The number of people in the star cast does not bother me, when I know that my part will make an impact. And moreover who would mind sharing screen space with actors like Naseeruddin Shah,” quipped the actor.
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