Gashmeer Mahajani: Freedom Is About Owning Your Truth

Your show, ‘108-Base Hospital URI' has an army background and is releasing around Independence Day. What does freedom mean to you personally?
For me, freedom means personal liberty, individuality and the ability to be who you truly are. It is about owning your truth and making sure that your actions and words are aligned with who you are as a person. That, for me, is real freedom.

You belong to the millennial generation. How do you see the younger generation and their relationship with parents?
I think every generation has its own challenges. I absolutely love my parents and my mum, but the relationship between parents and children can sometimes be delicate because both are coming from very different mindsets. As children, we are constantly changing and evolving, so there has to be an adjustment from both sides. Sometimes, you do have to fight a little and then meet somewhere in the middle.

Gashmeer, as a parent yourself, how do you look at today's generation?
I don't really like to divide people into generations. A person is a person, irrespective of their age. Of course, today's generation has much more exposure, so they may be more forward or aware than we were at their age. But that doesn't mean you should look at someone differently simply because they belong to Gen Z or another generation. Everyone has their own personality and traits, and you have to understand that.

Do you think today's parents sometimes adjust too much to their children's whims and fancies?
Yes, that does happen. For example, we don't give our child screen time. That's our choice, but it also means that we have to invest a lot of time and energy with them. Giving a child a tablet is easy because you immediately get some free time. That's what I would call lazy parenting.

What's your parenting style?
It isn't really about today's generation or tomorrow's generation. It is about what kind of parent you want to be. If you are willing to invest time and energy in your child, you can keep them away from things that aren't necessarily good for them. A parent needs to understand where to give in and where not to.

As a father how much time do you invest with them?
I always wanted to be a father, so I make sure I invest time in my child. I don't give in to things simply because they are convenient. A parent is a parent in every era. What matters is whether you are sensitive towards your child or not.

The trailer of, 4'108 Base Hospital- URI' gives us a glimpse of a very human side of army officers. What attracted you to your character?
I think the show explores a very human side of army officers. When we think about the army, we generally think about combat, missions and saving lives. But these officers also have personal lives. They have relationships, families, emotional struggles and problems that they have to deal with. As viewers, we see their professional lives, but 108 Base Hospital” also asks what happens to their personal lives because of their profession. How do their families cope? How do they handle relationships and emotional situations? That's the side of army life that I found very interesting.

The show releases on August 15. What does Independence Day mean to you?
For me, it is primarily about gratitude. We are fortunate to have been born in an independent India and to enjoy the freedoms that we sometimes take for granted. There are people, even within our own country, who may not have access to the same opportunities or freedoms that many of us enjoy. So, rather than constantly complaining about what we don't have, we should also stop and appreciate what we do have.

What message would you like to give today's generation on Independence Day?
Don't take your independence for granted. You have a voice, you have choices and you have the opportunity to pursue something you genuinely want to do. These are privileges that should be valued. My message is simple—have gratitude.