Pallabi Purkayastha (BOMBAY TIMES; January 10, 2019)

Last seen as a fierce lawyer in Batti Gul Meter Chalu, Yami Gautam likes to explore different genres and characters. The actress will soon be seen as an Intelligence Officer in the upcoming film URI: The Surgical Strike, and for her character, she underwent MMA training, too. In a chat with BT, Yami talks about her approach towards work, what prompted her to take up this intense role and also sends out a special message to the Indian Armed Forces. Excerpts…

In URI, you play the role of an Intelligence Officer, a character very different from your previous roles. Is that what prompted you to take up this project?
URI is one of the most special films that I have worked in. Not just as an actor, but also as a citizen of the country. When I heard the subject and met director Aditya Dhar, I felt a great sense of passion, responsibility, honesty and sensitivity towards the film. I think it’s very important for us to know what actually happened. The strikes were the first time we had initiated a step like that as a country. The film also shows what it means to step into the army men’s shoes, who are ready to take a bullet for us. Also, I love my character in the film; she is strong, independent and plays a pivotal role in the entire operation.

My character in the film is not on the ground with the paramilitary forces like Vicky’s (Kaushal) character, so technically, I did not need the physical strength or the MMA training. But I wanted to get the body language right, and look as authentic as possible.

You started your career with Vicky Donor, where you played the girl next door, and moved on to playing more intense roles in films like Sarkar 3, Batti Gul Meter Chalu and now URI. Has it been a conscious decision to choose diverse characters?
I won’t say it’s a conscious decision, but I am really glad that these roles have come my way. I will never shy away from the characters that I played in the beginning of my career. I think, as an actor, if I have to acknowledge that I have done versatile roles, I really need to justify my words with my body of work.

While you have worked with established filmmakers in the past, URI’s director Aditya Dhar is a debutant. Were you concerned that such a big project, with a political background, will be handled sensitively by a rank newcomer?
I was also a newcomer at some point of time, but someone did trust me as an actor. Vicky Donor was Shoojit Sircar’s third film and my first. As far as Aditya is concerned, it didn’t feel like this was his first film — he showed clarity while narrating the script to me. He had done extensive research on the subject. He was honest and sincere and I thought it’s rare to see these qualities, so that made me trust him. As an actor, it is very important for me to trust my director. Also, I am somebody who goes by instinct.

Of late, your co-star Vicky Kaushal has been appreciated for his performances. How was the experience of sharing notes with an actor like him?
Vicky is a very good actor as well as costar. He was focused, spontaneous and at the same time, always came on set with exhaustive preparation for every scene. He wouldn’t shirk away from saying, ‘Yami, I don’t think this is working. Why don’t you do it this way?’ He can have fairly good suggestions for you and that is what good filmmaking should be like, where actors are able to exchange notes without the fear of being judged.

Having worked on a film that revolves around the Indian Armed Forces, did you gain any perspective on the hardships that they face?
The Indian Armed Forces are selflessly guarding the borders and they make so many sacrifices for us. URI, in a very small and humble way, is our tribute to the Indian Army. I think it is important for the current generation to establish a connect with our soldiers. Patriotism cannot be shown only on two particular dates; it needs to go beyond that. I feel cinema, in that way, is a very powerful tool and can successfully influence young minds.

Since we are talking about the Uri attacks and the subsequent surgical strikes, what do you have to say about the relationship we share with Pakistan?
The surgical strikes are definitely one of the most important events in the history of the Indian Army. Because it is the first time we took such an initiative and it is also one of the most brilliantly planned and coordinated attacks. Not just the army, but other departments like DRDO and ISRO were also involved. No country in the world wants war. Our fight is against terrorism, not against a country in particular.