ALL EYES ON HIM

There's something special about a new face in Bollywood, and with Veer Pahariya having made his debut with Sky Force last month, we think it may be the start of something big

- NIKITA SAWANT

Veer Pahariya was all of five years old when he knew just what he wanted to do when he grew up. He found he was passionate about dance and being on stage, which boosted his confidence during his formative years. Later, when he cracked a few auditions, he knew the path he was destined for. Pahariya is a first-generation artist in his family, but it doesn’t deter him – in fact, it was the push he needed to try and create his own identity. Now, the actor has decided to dedicate his life to the dream he nurtured as a young boy.

THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY

For his big debut, Pahariya chose an action-drama that tells the story of India’s airstrike on the Sargodha airbase of Pakistan in the Indo-Pakistani air war of 1965. He plays Squadron Leader Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya, an unsung hero who played a key role in the war. It was the fact that most of us aren’t aware about these heroes in our armed forces that drew Pahariya to this project. “Movies have a soft power – many people use them to get educated and learn about our culture, our stories, and our world. Maybe, for the next generation, this film would be a good representation of Squadron Leader Devayya. I was excited that I was able to bring his story to life,” he shares.

GETTING INTO CHARACTER