Vijay Varma will be seen in Anubhav Sinha’s IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack releasing on August 29. (Photo Credits: Instagram)
Vijay Varma will be seen portraying the character of Captain Devi Sharan in the limited series directed by Anubhav Sinha.
Vijay Varma has found the rhythm to deliver back-to-back hits. The actor has repeatedly proven his talent and versatility with his body of work over the years. Now, the Darlings actor will be seen portraying Captain Devi Sharan in Anubhav Sinha’s IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack. The mini-series, slated to release on Netflix on August 29, also stars Naseeruddin Shah, Kumud Mishra, Dia Mirza Rekhi, and Patralekhaa in lead roles.
In an exclusive interview with News18, Varma spoke about his experience and the challenges of shooting for the series. “I was very excited to see what actually happens because while shooting, all I was looking at was a green screen. I also felt that the screenplay was awesome because here we are with a cockpit, primarily with me, and an aircraft with Patralekhaa, 180 other passengers, and other crew members. There was this huge world that I wouldn’t get to see on set, but I would be eager to see it when it comes out. So, I went in thinking there are a few actors in this [series] who, for me, are gods. They are all going to create the scene, and with such a director, whom I admire a lot. So, as an audience member, I would be excited to watch this,” he shared.
Director Anubhav Sinha’s series is based on true events and also on the book titled Flight Into Fear: The Captain’s Story by Captain Devi Sharan, who was the pilot of the airline that was hijacked in December 1999. Varma disclosed that he met Captain Devi Sharan, but eventually, it was Sinha’s vision that he wanted to follow. “So, I didn’t read the book. I read the script, and I discussed it with Anubhav sir, and we decided to go with what the director was envisioning. But I still wanted to meet the gentleman just to get a sense of who he is, what kind of a person he is, and scan him as an individual. I wanted to see if I could receive something from him,” said Varma.
Elaborating on his experience after meeting Captain Devi Sharan, Varma shared, “There was an innate sense of sincerity, and it’s not wrong to say that there was a lot of nobility in his presence. His commitment to his work is so polished and crystal clear. He was able to not just go through this all and bring everybody, except one passenger, back. And he went back to flying just four days after this incident. It says a lot about this person.”
“So, just meeting him and being in the flight simulation center, seeing him interact with the cockpit and the aircraft, and him taking me through his landings, etc., helped me greatly. I don’t think I was trying to imitate him, but I was trying to capture his essence. The top note and middle note is my work, but the base note is Captain Devi Sharan,” he concluded.
