Although Nikhil Siddhartha’s upcoming film Spy has a strong connection to the mysterious death of nationalist Subhash Chandra Bose, he says there’s a lot more to it than that. “When I heard the story from Rajasekhar Reddy garu, I felt a connection. Moreover, I hadn’t done a spy film, so I felt it was a perfect entry into the genre,” says the actor who plays a RAW agent in the Garry B.H. directorial.
A few films have already been made on Bose and the mystery surrounding his death. Most are either biographical accounts or based on specific events in his life. But Nikhil says Spy is a departure from this norm. “The film has an underlying message about Boseji but what we showcase is something never seen before,” he asserts.
Almost 90 per cent of the content in the film is real, based on extensive research, including conversations with historians, says Nikhil. “We haven’t tampered with history. While retaining the facts, we have highlighted the many grey areas,” he shares.
The actor underwent comprehensive training in weapon handling, all aspects of police work and self-defence techniques including the Israeli Krav Maga. He also met former RAW agents and spies to understand the nuances of the profession and their body language.
“Working on the film has been taxing physically and psychologically. We shot in various locations like Sri Lanka, Jordan and North India,” he says.
Having spent more than 16 years in the industry, Nikhil is glad his journey has been fulfilling. He feels it has helped him evolve as a person. “I have seen highs and lows, success and failures, and I took everything in my stride; and that attitude has made me what I am today,” he shares, adding that surviving for so many years is itself a big achievement.
