‘I feel a sense of pride to play a soldier’

Sooraj Pancholi will now be seen playing a soldier for one of his upcoming films. As part of the preparation for his role, Sooraj has received permissions to live at an army base camp with the real Indian officers in Amritsar, Punjab, for a week.

“The film is being directed by the National awardwinning director Irfan Kamal. It was the director’s call to meet the real army officers for the preparation. But Sooraj came up with the idea that he would rather stay with them to actually pick up the nuances of their lives. He felt just a meeting with them wouldn’t suffice and even do justice to such a role. So apart from staying with them, he will be training with them as well. Also, a lot is required on Sooraj’s part in terms of his look and body transformation. The actor will be leaving for Amritsar in September and the shoot will begin in November in Kashmir. Sooraj will be stationed there for 60 days,” says a source.

Sooraj says, “I feel a sense of pride, but I am also very nervous to be playing a soldier. Cracking this role and genre is a bit difficult. The role is very challenging; however, I am happy that I get to play an Indian soldier. I am too young in terms of experience in the industry. So from that

I feel a sense of pride, but I am also very nervous to be playing a soldier. Cracking this role and genre is a bit difficult. The role is very challenging SOORAJ PANCHOLI, ACTOR

perspective I am very excited to be playing this part.”

He further adds, “The director suggested that I should be meeting the real army officers, but I thought that it wouldn’t have done justice to my role or my preparation. This is one movie where I feel I need to prep for it. I will also be training extensively for the look. When I will stay with them I will work out with them too. The way they work out is extremely tough and more raw.”