BOMBAY TIMES (November 7, 2016)

Nimrat Kaur will play the lead role the first woman to be inducted in a combat role in the Indian Army - in Ekta Kapoor's first web series, which will be featured on the company's digital app. The show is directed by Nagesh Kukunoor.

Ekta says, “When we announced the launch of our digital app, we promised to break stereotypes in storytelling. This series is a strong reinforcement of that commitment. While Nimrat is known for her unconventional choice of roles, Nagesh is known for his alternative style of filmmaking. We are excited to kick-start the announcement with the duo.“

Nimrat, on her part, explains, “Unconventional projects interest me. After Homeland (US TV series), I was keen to do a show that pushes me as an actor. The story is set against the backdrop of the Indian Army and since I come from a defence background, I got hooked instantly. What's exciting about partnering with Ekta is the common belief that we need to shake up digital entertainment with power-packed, strong and brave original content.“

Nagesh seconds her, saying, “The digital revolution in India will be huge. Ekta and I have decided to partner on an exciting show, as she forays into the digital space. I'm excited because I've never ventured into this genre, and that too, on a digital platform.“
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Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 7, 2016)

After M Night Shyamalan's Wayward Pines, Nimrat Kaur is headed back home to feature in Ekta Kapoor's first digital series for the app, ALT Balaji. The yet-untitled fiction series is directed by Nagesh Kukunoor and has the Indian army as the backdrop. Nimrat plays the first woman prepping up to be inducted in the army in a combat role. Shooting kicks off in December.

The actress whose late father was a major, reveals that being part of the army has always been her dream job. “I grew up in cantonments and have been an out-and-out army kid all my life. My father was in the services since the time I was born to my formative years. That environment has enhanced my sense of belonging. Life and time have given me different opportunities but the army will always be my home,“ Nimrat confided, revealing that she had plans to join the army before she found her calling in acting. “Now, I'm getting to do just that, wear the uniform like my father. Growing up, I'd watch Shah Rukh Khan in Fauji and I remember being fascinated with that as well. This show is the closest to being part of that world.“

The series also marks Kukunoor's digital debut. Nimrat believes she is in safe hands considering her director's body of work which is replete with strong female characters. “Nagesh has a powerful mind for women-oriented subjects and characters, be it Dor or even Iqbal, which revolved around a deaf-mute boy and his aspirations to be a cricketer but featured a strong female character (Shweta Basu Prasad as Iqbal's sister Khadija). Also, the idea is not to conform to one medium. I love experimenting. I've done short films before, like Encounter, Elayichi and Love Shots. I've done TV series abroad like Homeland and Wayward Pines, so it's interesting to venture into digital series now,“ she signs off.