EXCLUSIVE | 'Sky Force' actor Veer Pahariya on the success of his debut film: 'I'm too new, small, and insignificant to talk about...'

Debutant Veer Pahariya is currently basking in the glory of the success of his debut film Sky Force which released in cinemas this Friday. Also starring Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur, and Sara Ali Khan, the film has surpassed all the expectations and emerged as a bona fide box office hit. The weekend of this patriotic drama is likely to be around Rs 70 crore, and with the kind of responses pouring in, it could be this year’s first major success.

In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, Veer Pahariya spoke about scoring a hit right with his first film, what went behind creating the world of Sky Force, the responses he received that made him feel special, and the memories he’ll always cherish when the patriotic drama was being made.

Edited excerpts from the interview

The film collected Rs 15.30 crore on its opening day, which is the highest for any debutant. Were you anticipating such numbers?

I’m too new, small, and insignificant to talk about these things. It’s bit too much but I’m happy with the acceptance of my face and my character, and that’s something I wanted, the acceptance.

It’s just January but it’s one of the best reviewed films of the year already. What about the critical acclaim you have received?

I always knew this film will touch hearts because I think I have a decent understanding of emotions and it’s a true story of a real hero in the 1965 war. It’s the story of an unsung hero and the message behind the film is a human message. It was not like we were alienating the audience by doing a typical genre type film. There are so many good films that don’t resonate with the audiences so you never know about this business. I’m grateful the reviews were so good and I worked really hard for hit. God has been kind.

You told me before the interview started how none of the posters of the film were shot in studios. Can you enlighten on what went behind shooting them?

This still is from the action sequence when the attack happens. The salute is from the funeral scene. The bike is the introduction scene and the planes are the real fighter planes. All the screen grabs are from the film.

How similar are you and Tabby?

Tabby is rebellious, disobeys the orders and never comes back. (Smiles) He broke the rules and stole a plane, but that was for a greater cause to save his brothers from danger. What is common is that even I would stand for my friends and family, I’m very loyal and all about love. I might be little rebellious, like what he did for the country, I would like to do for what I believe in, what my views are and the message that I want to convey, and what people would like to remember me for, so those things are similar.

Watch the full interview here:

What emotions were you exactly experiencing one day before the shoot, your first day in front of the camera?

I had my phone in front of me and didn’t sleep in the night. It was a 60-70 page scene and I read it again and again. It was horrifying, I have no other words. I was very nervous.

Were you able to detach yourself from the character you play or did you take it back home?

Shooting went on for a year-and-a-half so it was very challenging to maintain that physicality because I gain weight rapidly. I had to maintain a specific kind of physicality and body weight because pilots are light and agile to be able to fit into the cockpit. So that eating and sleeping process was a challenging process. I think I took Tabby back home because when I was shooting with the mustache and the short hair, my style changed. By the time the second and third schedule happened, I was able to leave the switch on and switch off thing. It’s too early to say this because this is my first film but I’m working on it.

What are the qualities of Tabby you wish you had?

Wow, he’s too great, I can’t put myself in that bracket also. He left his clothes with his loved ones, it’s an act of selflessness, courage, bravery, and sacrifice. That is something that really inspires me.