Shershaah is an entertaining experience that falls in the category of must-watch movies. The exhilarating warfare, exceptional cinematography, absorbing screenwriting, and outstanding on-screen portrayal, have done justice to the story but the soul of the movie lies in the realism it portrays. The movie will make you laugh, it will make you cry, it will make you feel collected, and at the next, scattered. This movie would eventually end after two hours or so but its story will instill in your hearts forever. In an exclusive interview with the Tycoon Magazines, producer Shabbir Boxwala reveals how the movie came into an in-depth spectacular existence from being a story known externally and paid an impactful tribute to the great Capt. Vikram Batra.
Q: How did the idea of producing Shershaah come into being and evolved?
A friend of mine, Puneet Gandhi, wanted to make the film and came up with the idea. Vikram Batra was then a name that all millennials might have heard of but his story was not known in depth. I started by googling, further research, and getting into the profoundness of the story. The more I unearthed the story and the character, the more I was sure this story is great and it needs to be played on the big screens. A perfect story that encompasses all sorts of emotions, the supreme love for the nation, unmatched devotion for the partner, rare bond with the sibling, and even the exceptional dedication towards dreams, has to be a movie, and thus, I decided I will take up the mission to do justice to this heroic story.
Q: How much time did it take to shape the idea into the ultimate movie?
After I was done with the research work, I reached Vishal Batra, he agreed and stated, “Shabbir you would do justice to my brother’s story.” I explained to him that to me this movie was not a commercial film and after knowing the story I fell in love with Vikram Batra. He inspired me in different facets of my life. All I knew was that I have to tell this story and that too in the right way. We started trailing the right people and the right team.
Once we got the right people, the writer Sandeep Shrivastava wanted to meet every important person in the story to carve the best version of the story. It took four long years to shape the idea which is now being commemorated globally as a tribute to Capt. Vikram Batra.
Q: How was the best team finalized and how were the main leads taken on board?
The first person to join me after the conversation with Vishal Batra and his family was Sandeep Shrivastava, the writer of the film, who brought authenticity to the screen without exaggerating anything. 90% of the film was based on facts. The next to join was Siddharth Malhotra, I have always observed him as a great actor.
The moment I talked to him, he was so enthusiastic and he has lived that character in the movie. We then approached Dharma production and Karan agreed to produce the film. Things were falling in place, we got Vishnuvardhan on our team and the rest is history. These were the initial team, the other members were added consecutively. Kiara had previously worked with the Dharma Productions, she saw through the role and portrayed the character so well that she actually came across Dimple on the screen. I believe these people altogether brought life to this story and did justice to the life path that Capt. Vikram Batra lived.
Q: What are some of the best moments you had while producing the film?
There were a lot many great moments I had but of course, some of them are to be remembered for a lifetime. The biggest achievement of my life was when I received a letter from the Indian Army appreciating the movie. The other one, as I remember, Vishal Batra, called me and said that he received a call from an American soldier who congratulated him and his family for the inspiration that Capt. Vikram had set. That moment was so great, I felt a huge sense of achievement in it that the heroic deeds of Capt. Vikram is being celebrated globally and they are inspiring the young generations. It was the day I felt I had completed the mission I was set on.
Q: What is your message for the youth of the nation and the upcoming youngsters in the Movie Industry?
Late Capt. Vikram Batra was awarded the highest gallantry award and at an age of 24 years, serving 2 years in the army he achieved a lot. When youngsters at this age are generally struggling about what they would be doing next, Capt. Vikram was living his dreams, did something exceptional, and won an impossible war. I made up my mind to produce the film as it would instill feelings of nationalism, traits of being a better person and inspire the young generations to head on the brighter paths. For the upcoming youth in the industry, I would say you have to follow your dreams and hard work is the only secret to success. If you are dedicated and give your 100% to it, success will find its way to your door, sooner or later. So you should have patience and even it took 4 years to bring this movie to the screen. Keep faith in yourself and trust the process, because good things take time.
