Exclusive: Gurmeet opens about Paltan character, JP Dutta and self like never before

Paltan, the movie based on the war at Nathula pass for Sikkim, is all set to release tomorrow and it is being presented by none other than the helmer of war films like Border and LOC Kargil. In fact with Paltan, JP Dutta will complete his war trilogy.

The movie brings the handsome TV actor-turned-Bollywood actor Gurmeet Choudhary looking dashing on screen.

Deccan Chronicle got an opportunity to interact with the actor. Here the excerpts from the interview:

Why are you not signing many films?

That’s not true. For me, if I’m doing one film per year, that’s a good rate. I was a superstar on TV and I’ve been here in Bollywood for 2-3 years. Obviously I will try to do 4 films a year, but more than quantity, quality is what matters to me. I won’t work with an unknown banner or director. I want to work with good, known people so my efforts can be noticed. In fact if I had done something absolutely rubbish, then JP Dutta wouldn’t have casted me in ‘Paltan’. I have a huge responsibility since I represent TV. Because of Sushant Singh Rajput who came in movies, I also got the opportunity. So I need to do go work for the future generation of TV actors who aspire to join Bollywood. It was a taboo that there’s a film or TV actor, but an actor is an actor, no matter the medium. So I can get a hit or flop movie but cannot afford to be a flop actor. I might not be a film superstar but when someone wants a fresh actor who has just done a few films, I fall in that category since I have an audience already. I just give my best.

Both you and Sushant have fans, especially girl fans. So is it right to call you’ll a pathbreaker for TV to Bollywood?

Thanks to Sushant Singh because he made it happen. I wouldn’t be able to forget it for a lifetime, because it’s very tough and happens only with belief. There’s still a taboo that TV actors cannot can’t, but luckily me and Sushant could achieve this stage and we’re just giving our best. TV actors do get an opportunity but they end up doing all kinds of films – some which don’t work or even release. For me, I was very sure that I want to work with good producers and directors and with good script. Till I didn’t find that, I continued doing TV. When that was coming to an end, I was thinking what next which is exactly when the film industry approached me. All this happened because of TV, so my godfather is TV. Sushant also worked hard to achieve this. There’s no doubt that if a person reaches somewhere, it cannot be without working hard.

What do you think JP Dutta saw in you that he called you for the role?

I think he saw my passion and madness. I think a crazy person can only do such a film with JP sir. I’m a huge fan of JP sir. My dad was in the army, I studied in army school and I am born in an army hospital. I was drinking coffee with the production manager of T-Series after completing Wajah Tum Ho, which is when he informed me that Paltan casting is going on. Then he told me that JP Dutta is directing the film. I always wanted to be an army personal. My dad wanted me to pursue that dream but I ran to become an actor instead. When I met JP sir, I had long hair, wore army uniform and giving my background told him, “I will give my 200% but give me a small role in your movie.” He then asked me to stay out, post which his daughter Nidhi came and told me that I’m selected because my role demands such madness. So I have a proper team who pitch my name, but I feel it is also my responsibility so I go and meet people too for work, because it’s my passion and I’m not ashamed of it. I don’t like waiting so I grab the opportunity and go myself. I have approached people in all the movies I have worked. I also feel that producers and directors feel more comfortable in that these days.

Any special moment on the sets?

2 days before the shooting began, JP sir gave me a file which had details of my character. It had a handwritten letter from my character for his mother, girlfriend who he promised a film. While reading the letter, I naturally got goosebumps and felt helpless. I wasn’t able to sleep for 2 nights. My character is very popular in the army. He is worshipped and has roads built on his name. When I was shooting in Ladakh, I saw his photo every day. By the end of the climax, his pain became mine. I started crying on the sets. I am very introvert but I thanked JP sir and told him I can feel the character’s pain. He told me that I have not casted you, it’s done by someone else. JP sir always says that such a character isn’t in my hands, the universe chooses it.

People are aware about how romantic you are in real life. Did you bring that on reel too?

*blushes* My fans have told me that I romance well, with confidence. They aren’t aware that I get equally shy. When I see myself on screen too, I know that it’s looking good. It’s very interesting how a soldier romances.