Shershaah's pure romance

Shershaah marks actor Sidharth Malhotra’s first-ever biographical film, based on Param Vir Chakra awardee and army captain Vikram Batra.

Directed by Vishnuvardhan for co-producer Karan Johar, the film also stars Kiara Advani as Batra’s girlfriend.

Speaking about the film, named after Batra’s codename in the army, Sidharth says, “It’s his love story and life story as well. His love story is really heart-wrenching: He tells his girlfriend that he wants to marry her when he is still alive and she is single. But then he never came back. She didn’t get married as she was still waiting for him. It’s an appealing and innocent love story which we rarely experience.”

In preparing for the film, however, the Student of the Year actor never met the woman in real life. “I haven’t met her but spoken to her. Theirs was a great and powerful pure love story, it’s been 20 years and while they are still not officially married, she is still living with his name. Personally, I would love to believe such love innocent stories do exist today. It’s a pure love story,” he smiles.

The film was shot in Kargil, which Sidharth recalls came with ups and downs. “I was there in Kargil for 50 days while Section 370 was scrapped in Jammu and Kashmir. There was stress but the army was helpful,” he shares before signing off. Shershaah is slated for release on July 3 this year.