Actress Kritika Bharadwaj from “Yodha”: Even though he is a celebrity, Sidharth Malhotra is very kind and modest

In the film “Yodha,” Kritika Bharadwaj played a crucial role as Sidharth Malhotra’s co-pilot. Kritika is appreciating the exposure she has earned despite the film’s varied reviews. The actress spoke candidly with ETimes about her experience filming the movie, collaborating with Sidharth Malhotra, the action sequences, and the praise she’s gotten—among them, praise from Kiara Advani!

How did you go about getting this gig with Dharma Productions after trying out?
I didn’t know Yodha was the project I was auditioning for in June 2021.

I got a call later in October, when I was in Rajasthan filming Mismatched season 2, telling me that the directors wanted to meet. And after that, I was cast for the role. On November 24, we completed filming Mismatched season 2, and on November 27, I was already on the Yodha set. It was interesting to move from playing Simran, a college-bound teenager, to Tanya, a trainee pilot. I became completely engrossed in studying technical jargon, taking inspiration from flight simulation games. The battle aircraft sequence towards the conclusion of Yodha was shot in a linear manner, which enhanced the process’s organic flow. The sequence in Yodha when I first met Sidharth’s character really reflected real life, which added to the seamless and genuine sense of the encounter.
What lessons have you learned from Yodha’s experience?
It was a fascinating experience to work on the Dharma set. The hydraulic system used for the flight sequence setup allowed for a complete 360-degree spin. The set’s enormous scale and intricate design were both amazing and daunting. Taking part in the action scenes was thrilling. The ensemble and staff were excellent, fostering a relaxed and helpful atmosphere. Participating in this initiative seems like a gift.
What was it like working with Sidharth Malhotra on set? In what way does he fit the role of co-star?
Collaborating with Sidharth Malhotra proved to be an amazing experience. On the first day of the shoot, we got together for the first time, never having met before. Even though Sidharth was a well-known celebrity, he was very kind and modest. Considering that I spent the majority of my scenes with him, we became close. He never made me feel inexperienced, and I’m happy we worked together on a project this important.
Has Karan Johar visited the sets? How was your first encounter with him?
Yes, Karan Johar was really busy at the time and did visit the sets while filming Rocky Rani. During the lunch break, we happened to cross paths and exchange pleasantries. I introduced myself as Tanya, and we had a short exchange of words. Sitting next to him at lunch made me feel a little uneasy, but he quickly put me at ease. Later, when we met again at the Yodha screening, Karan thanked me for my performance and told me some amusing anecdotes.
What type of feedback on your performance have you gotten from the industry?
The response I’ve gotten is just overwhelming. It is satisfying to have my effort recognised and valued after reading a few evaluations. Kiara also complimented me on my part the day of the screening, emphasising how a female pilot is stepping out and leaving her mark. I hope that more people in the industry will take notice of my performance and that it will open me to interesting new chances.