EXCLUSIVE! 'Fighter' star Rishabh Sawhney on making an unconventional choice with 'Echoes of Valour': 'It's like an ode to my mother'

After making an impressive debut in Hrithik Roshan’s Fighter as a menacing antagonist, talented actor Rishabh Sawhney has been garnering appreciation for his portrayal of a teacher in Divya Dutta and Neeaj Kabi starrer Echoes of Valour, which recently screened at the Venice Film Festival.

In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, Rishabh spoke about his character in Echoes of Valour, sharing screen space with Divya Dutta and Neeraj Kabi, along with other aspects.

Edited excerpts from the interview:

On international critics praising Echoes of Valour

It was amazing. I mean, anything you do and people like it, it always feels good. Getting praised by an international audience, the country of the audience, is really good for me. I am happy that people like the work.

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After doing an out-and-commercial movie like Fighter, you made an unconventional choice with Echoes of Valour. So, was it a conscious decision?

Yeah, of course. I have been very true to the work that I want to do. It’s not like I don’t want to do commercial films. Actually, I started shooting for another film before I started with Echoes of Valour. But you know how commercial films take time to get made and stuff, right?  So, that film is still in shoot and Echoes of Valour came in the middle. I shot for that. We got done. It got released. And it was a conscious decision. The story is really gritty. It’s really hard-hitting. And the film is based on a mother’s love for her child. And that was it for me. It’s like an ode to my mother, me doing this film.

How do you feel relatable to the character of the teacher you portrayed in the movie?

(So, the thing is, my character, when you watch the film, it will probably release in India very soon. When you watch the film, you will see that the main job of my character in this film is to help the protagonist, which is played by Divya Dutta. And I just put myself in the shoes of the person who helps her. And I would have probably done the same thing to help a mother who’s looking out for something that is related to her child. So that was like an instant relatability for me.

Did you have any idea or hear the story of Shukla Bandopadhyay before you were approached for this film? 

Yes, of course, my director, Indira, was really open about the conversation. So, it was a funny story. I was initially approached to play the part of a terrorist in the film because of Fighter. And I was not really looking to do terrorists, although I really wanted to do this film because it’s a lovely story, like I said. So, I initially was very reluctant, and I had spoken and said, I don’t want to play a terrorist. Then it was like done. And then a couple of days later, Indira got back to me, saying that she would really like for me to be a part of the project. And then there’s this other role of a teacher, which I would be good for. Then that’s how it went on.

Has this character brought change to you as a person, adding more positive traits?

I personally feel like the kind of person I am, I’m already too good. But no jokes apart. This one with more than, like more than my character affecting me in this film, it was Shukla Bandopadhyay’s character that affected me in this film, because the kind of story and journey that woman has had in her life and the way she’s held herself and how she carries herself and moves around. That is very moving. I’m not even joking. It’s a sight to watch. Like, it’s very inspirational.

Were you intimidated while doing scenes with veterans like Divya Dutta and Neeraj Kabi?

I don’t get intimidated, to be honest, because when I go on set, I am prepared with my character very well. So, I’m there, I’m present. And, I mean, that time, I’m not really looking at my co-actor as this big star that is working with me. It’s more like the character that is there with me. So, I never get intimidated on set. But yes, it was very admirable. I remember where there is this one scene in the film where the main protagonist is giving a speech. And I was just looking at her delivering the speech, and I had tears in my eyes. Even though I was not in the frame. I was off camera. But it was really inspirational, and that was really moving. That performance needs to be hit. How much more do I need to wor,k and how much more do I need to explore in my life to become an actor of that calibre?

Every actor has an aspiration that the audience should cheer and clap for him when he makes an entry on the big screen. Do you have that thing in mind?

Of course, I think not a hero, but in Fighter, the opening scene with me, I got that moment. During Fighter, that was a very special moment for me.

Did you start getting more negative roles after Fighter?

It’s like a 60-40 split because I’ve gotten positive roles offers also, I’ve gotten negative roles offers also, but it’s a 60-40 ratio, I would say, and honestly, my thing is I don’t mind doing another negative character, but the thing is, the character should be the story should be impressive.

Any actors and filmmakers on your bucket list?

I want to work with Ranveer Singh and Vicky Kaushal. In terms of directors, I would love to work with SS Rajamouli sir someday, then Raju Hirani sir, Kabir Khan sir, I really like his action films.  So, there are too many people who are too talented in this industry, and I would love to work with all of them.