When she walked into Shershaah, Kiara Advani knew she had a good film in hand. Now, as the Sidharth Malhotra-starrer is receiving unanimous love from audience and critics, she is pleased as well as grateful. “Even at a script level, we knew this film had the potential to move people. But the response has surpassed our expectations,” she begins. The team’s biggest win is that the biopic on Captain Vikram Batra has been highly appreciated by the Batra family.

Asked if she has heard from Dimple Cheema yet, Advani — who plays Batra’s love interest in the Amazon Prime Video offering — says, “I messaged her after the film. This is an emotional movie for her. I want to respect her privacy right now. When I met Captain Batra’s family after the film, they said I was exactly like [Dimple]. That moved me to tears. I know the songs have deeply touched her. She must be proud that the story is resonating with people.”

The film’s post-credits reveal that after the Kargil War hero’s demise, Cheema decided to not marry. The actor says she bought into their love story instantly, rare as it was. “I believe in that kind of eternal love. I have seen examples of that in my parents, and now, in Dimple’s love story. It is aspirational for a generation like ours, which is more fast-paced.”

That brings us to her love life — she is rumoured to be dating co-star Malhotra. Zealous fans rooting for them have given them the moniker #Sidiara. Partly coy, partly cautious, Advani says, “We are happy that our on-screen chemistry is appreciated. But I feel it’s our honest intention of playing Vikram and Dimple authentically that is [being praised].”

For the actor, the film’s success has reaffirmed her belief in her choice of projects. “Since Kabir Singh [2019], every day has been an effort to top the character of Priti. People couldn’t get her out of their minds. After almost [two] years, Dimple has done that; it feels like a win. I have always been instinctive with my choice of characters, and will continue choosing with abandon.”