Pallavi Sharda – Lead Actress

Q: Tell us something about your role in Hawaizaada.

A: I play a ‘Tamasha’ dancer in the movie. I think my character has come up very well. All thanks to our director Vibhu Puri & my co-star Ayushmann Khurrana who encouraged me to give my best to the film. I won’t like to give away much detail on my role at this moment, I just want all my fans to go watch me in a completely different role. I got another chance to show that I can play these kinds of roles too. I believe I'm a versatile actress and hope that people would love my work.

Q: How has your experience been in the film industry considering you come from a non-film background?

A: Yes, I come from a non-film background and to survive in the film industry, one needs talent as well as luck. Of course in an industry like this, acting and talent is the most important. But luck is an important factor too - I certainly believe that you can’t be successful without talent, but even if you’re talented and luck doesn’t favour you, you’re still not going to get where you want.

Q: How was your experience working with Ayushmann Khurrana?

A: Director Vibhu Puri wanted us to attend workshops so we could get under the skin of our respective characters. We built a good rapport, and as we are both fairly new in the industry we would end up discussing a lot of our scenes and bounce ideas and opinions off each other. Ayushmann as a co-star is easy to work with and is quite a natural actor.

Q: If you could portray any character who would it be?

A: It would have to be Madhubala. I would love to do a biopic on the legendary actress who was recognized all over for her timeless acting and beauty. I like her story, her life was interesting and there is romanticism in her life. I think it would make for an interesting story. Her films like ‘Mughal-E-Azam’, ‘Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi’, ‘Barsaat ki Raat’ or ‘Kaala Paani’ have immortalised Bollywood and I have watched all of her films countless times. In fact, I’m a trained classical dancer and often during my rehearsals I used to watch Madhubala’s songs and try to emulate her moves and expressions.

Q: How was your experience working with Mithun Chakraborty?

A: I consider it an honour to work with someone like him. Mithun Sir is a legend that everyone has idolised and watched growing up. Whether it’s his disco dance moves, dialogue delivery or on-screen presence, he has the spark that will never leave him. It’s so inspiring to watch him or just be around him, honestly. I was so nervous when I met him for the first time on the sets of ‘Hawaizaada’, but he was very humble and easy-going. He is absolutely amazing to work with and I learnt so much just by observing him. His experience shows in every frame as he’s that effortless. He has amazing energy and his enthusiasm of an 18-year old just rubs off on anyone who is around you.

Q: What was the biggest challenge you faced during the film?

A: I think personally it would have to be playing the character of a Marathi girl. I had to undergo special training to learn the various nuances of Marathi as a language, its culture as well as dancing since I play a dancer in the film. I have always loved dancing and performing different styles is every dancer’s dream. Vibhu Puri also asked me to closely observe Maharashtrian mannerisms and do my own research on things that would help me get under the skin of the character. Looking back, it all seems quite amazing how much I have learnt but back then during the initial phases it was quite daunting and challenging. But every actor goes through these various phases to become better at what they do so I am thrilled with the results and hope that the audience will enjoy my character as much.

Ayushmann Khurrana – Lead Actor

Q. So what’s ‘Hawaizaada’ about?

A: It’s about the flight of the first unmanned airplane in India in 1895. When I learnt more about the character and the story of the event, I found that this was before even the Wright brothers in America, which I find incredible. India had a real role to play in the history of aviation and I think it’s great we’ve got this chance to show that to the world.

Q. And your character?

A: I play Shivkar Bapuji Talpade, who designed the plane. He was a fascinating character both as a historical figure in India’s history but also as a human being. Vibhu Puri (director) offered me this amazing story of an unsung hero. The way he has fictionalised it, the way he has taken the creative liberty and added his own flavour to the story of a guy who made the world’s first aircraft is incredible.”

Q. We heard that you weren’t paid for this film, is this true?

A: Yes, it’s true. To be honest, I didn’t look to do this film for the money. The film was having some trouble with budgets and I knew I didn’t want to charge for my services because it was worth it! There are some films you do to satisfy your soul, not your stomach.

Q: Hawaizaada took one-and-a-half years to make. What made it take so long?

A: There were some complications regarding budgets, which did delay the filming. Unfortunately some things are out of your control so you have to just get on with it. But delays aside, this film took a long time to make because it was worth it. A lot of films get churned out but this film needed to have time taken over it. Vibhu insisted that we get it right even if it took a dozen takes but if that’s what it takes to make a great film, that’s the price you’ve got to pay. He’s got a real eye for detail and despite the cast groaning about doing a certain shot over and over again, in the end you’ve got a great scene.

Q: What was it like working with Vibhu Puri?

A: I didn’t know too much about him other than what friends had said about him. With them though, he had a great reputation despite being very new on the scene. I think this was his first full-length film. He’s young, but he works like a seasoned pro. He’s like all directors should be, to the point and knows how to talk to his cast. Vibhu had a very clear vision of how he wanted the film to go and he did as much as he could to make that happen. He was keen on hearing other people’s point of view, which I like. Sometimes an actor would suggest a way a certain shot was taken and he’d say ‘Actually, that’s better!’

Q: You’ve said before that this film has touched you. Would you like to explain why?

A: There were several reasons. When you spent 18 months on anything, it’s always going to be of significance to you. In the future, when I look back, I’ll think of the time I spent with this team and on ‘Hawaizaada’. I also found the storyline fascinating. It was a story that I had to fully research to get under this man’s skin and be him. When you become a real life person, it’s very different to playing a fictional one, there’s something to base your character on. With films you get out of them what you put in. I put my heart and soul into this film because I truly cared about it. When you care that much about a film, it’s always going to have a huge effect on you.

Soaring high

Film inspired by the true story of world’s first unmanned airplane

Forthcoming big-screen release ‘Hawaizaada’ is set to inspire a new generation of filmgoers in a tale of unwavering daring, ingenuity and glory.

Releasing internationally in cinemas on 30th January, ‘Hawaizaada’ celebrates the Indian spirit of adventure and invention as well as the country’s prolific freedom struggle, as it unfolds the story of one man’s dreams and aspirations amidst considerable adversity.

Directed by Vibhu Puri, the film features an ensemble cast of emerging and established actors, who all showcase their considerable talents in this thought-provoking and inspiring story.

Playing the lead role of Shivkar Bapuji Talpade is multi-talented actor, musician and presenter Ayushmann Khurrana who is joined by rising star Pallavi Sharda who essays the role of Sitara. The star line-up is completed by veteran award-winning actor Mithun Chakraborthy.

The film tells the story of young school drop-out ‘Shivi’ (Ayushmann Khurrana), who falls in love with popular rich girl Sitara (Pallavi Sharda). But their turbulent and tempestuous relationship does not run smoothly and Sitara decides to leave the city to spare Shivi any further pain.

The heartbroken and dejected Shivi slips into a constant drunken stupor in a world filled with debauchery and sinfulness. However, His life is dramatically changed when he meets ‘Shastry’, (Mithun Chakraborthy), a Vedic scholar, who inspires him to change his shallow, unfulfilled life.

Shastry shares his life-long dream of making an airplane based on the principles of the Hindu religious texts, the Vedas. Hence begins the two men’s poignant, courageous and exciting journey, one a whimsical genius and the other a witty, crazy dreamer.

However, the course of life and love never runs smoothly, as Shivi finds himself the perpetrator of the ultimate betrayal against his good friend Shastry. Will Shivi be able to redeem himself after his unthinkable actions and will he and his true love Sitara reunite and realise the life-long dream of his friend and mentor?

We catch up with the film lead actor and actress to find out more.