Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani are gearing up for the release of their movie Shershaah. The former plays the role of Captain Vikram Batra in it, and Kiara will portray the character of Batra’s fiancée, Dimple Cheema, in the movie.
Recently, while talking to PTI, Kiara spoke about the film and her character. She said, "Shershaah gave me a deeper insight into unconditional love and selfless support. Through the making of Shershaah, I got to first hand witness the sacrifices of their (armed forces) loved ones, who are the true pillars of support to the men of the Indian Army.”
“For me, Dimple is an unsung hero, who fought for her love and faced every challenge that came in her personal life with utmost strength. She represents today's Indian woman, who makes her own choices and stands by it proudly. Her decision to remain unmarried and her faith in eternal love will always inspire me and hold a special place in my heart," she added.
Before shooting for the film Kiara met Dimple to get into the skin of her character. She said, "When I was listening to her, it was the feeling I had about him... (It was) almost like I knew him and he became my own. I felt I was part of his life and journey in my own little way through the film."
But, the actress revealed that Vishnu Varadhan advised her to not mimic Cheema. Kiara said, "You can't get into a character by trying to mimic them but if you are emotionally connected to the story, you get the tone.”
Kiara says that starring in Shershaah was a once in a "lifetime opportunity" to pay homage to the valour of the armed forces. “This is the closest one could get to paying tributes to the Indian Army, Captain Vikram, and the men and women, who make our lives easier. We don't know what's happening as intensely as it is and to experience it through this film has been extremely humbling. I have a lot of gratitude in my heart."
While talking about meeting the family of Captain Vikram Batra, Kiara said, "The day before we started shooting in Palampur and we went to their home, met his family it gave us an emotional sur (tone) that we needed to continue this journey and portray it in the most honest way possible."
“Shershaah is more than a film for us, it is an ode to every soldier. It has personally moved me and filled me with so much gratitude that words will always fall short,” she added.
Produced by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions and Kaash Entertainment, Shershaah will premiere on Amazon Prime Video on 12th August 2021.
Forum brings UK and Chinese film professionals together to explore collaborations.
Emerging British-Asian talent gain mentorship and international exposure.
Small-scale dramas, kids’ shows, and adapting popular formats were the projects everyone was talking about.
Telling stories that feel real to their culture, yet can connect with anyone, is what makes them work worldwide.
Meeting three times a year keeps the UK and China talking, creating opportunities that last beyond one event.
The theatre was packed for the Third Shanghai–London Screen Industry Forum. Between panels and workshops, filmmakers, producers and executives discussed ideas and business cards and it felt more than just a summit. British-Asian filmmakers were meeting and greeting the Chinese industry in an attempt to explore genuine possibilities of working in China’s film market.
UK China film collaborations take off as Third Shanghai London Forum connects British Asian filmmakers with Chinese studios Instagram/ukchinafilm
What makes the forum important for British-Asian filmmakers?
For filmmakers whose films explore identity and belonging, this is a chance to show their work on an international stage, meet Chinese directors, talk co-productions and break cultural walls that normally feel unscalable. “It’s invaluable,” Abid Khan said after a panel, “because you can’t create globally if you don’t talk globally.”
And it’s not just established names. Young filmmakers were all around, pitching ideas and learning on the go. The forum gave them a chance to get noticed with mentoring, workshops, and live pitch sessions.
Which projects are catching international attention?
Micro-dramas are trending. Roy Lu of Linmon International says vertical content for apps is “where it’s at.” They’ve done US, Canada, Australia and next stop, Europe. YouTube is back in focus too, thanks to Rosemary Reed of POW TV Studios. Short attention spans and three-minute hits, she’s ready.
Children’s and sports shows are another hotspot. Jiella Esmat of 8Lions is developing Touch Grass, a football-themed children’s show. The logic is simple: sports and kids content unite families, like global glue.
Then there’s format adaptation. Lu also talked about Nothing But 30, a Chinese series with 7 billion streams. The plan is for an english version in London. Not a straight translation, but a cultural transformation. “‘30’ in London isn’t just words,” Lu says. “It’s a new story.”
Jason Zhang of Stellar Pictures says international audiences respond when culture isn’t just a background prop. Lanterns, flowers, rituals, they’re part of the plot. Cedric Behrel from Trinity CineAsia adds: you need context. Western audiences don’t know Journey to the West, so co-production helps them understand without diluting the story.
Economic sense matters too. Roy Lu stresses: pick your market, make it financially viable. Esmat likens ideal co-productions to a marriage: “Multicultural teams naturally think about what works globally and what doesn’t.”
The UK-China Film Collab’s Future Talent Programme is taking on eight students or recent grads this year. They’re getting the backstage access to international filmmaking that few ever see, including mentorship, festival organising and hands-on experience. Alumni are landing real jobs: accredited festival journalists, Beijing producers, curators at The National Gallery.
Adrian Wootton OBE reminded everyone: “We exist through partnerships, networks, and collaboration.” Yin Xin from Shanghai Media Group noted that tri-annual gathering: London, Shanghai, Hong Kong create an “intensive concentration” of ideas.
Actor-director Zhang Luyi said it best: cultural exchange isn’t telling your story to someone, it’s creating stories together.
The Shanghai-London Screen Industry Forum is no longer just a talking shop. It’s a launchpad, a bridge. And for British-Asian filmmakers and emerging talent, it’s a chance to turn ideas into reality.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.