Playing the 26/11 Martyr, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan in “Major,” Adivi Sesh becomes nostalgic: The movie improved me as a person, and I will always remember it

Not all movies are made solely for actors to play in. ‘Major’ is one of the films. Even though it was launched in 2022, we still remember it. The movie is based on the life and times of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who gave his life in the 2008 Mumbai attacks while battling terrorists at the renowned Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. The title character was portrayed by actor Adivi Desh. His on-screen parents were portrayed by Prakash Raj and Revathy. ‘Major’ is more than simply a movie to Sesh; it’s a feeling.

Adivi recently discussed ‘Major’, writing and performing in it, his relationship with Sandeep’s parents, and a host of other topics with Outlook India.

It’s the type of movie where you start gauging your career before and after it, according to Adivi. It became so significant because, honestly, I don’t believe I have ever done a film as honest as this one. It’s more about the method than the movie. It was crucial how Major Sandeep’s parents, Uncle and Amma, welcomed us into their family and did not force us to become their employees. I believe that as a result, it improved me as a person.

Advi said, “If Revathy garu had a question, I had to go and answer in my uniform,” in response to the topic of whether it was tough to write and act simultaneously. Luckily, I don’t consider myself an actress when I write. Although I was able to mentally separate it emotionally, it was undoubtedly a double-duty.

He went on, “But what was interesting was that I was asked specific questions about the script by all the other actors, technicians, and directors.” I gained a better understanding of Sandeep Sir’s psychology as a result of their queries, something I never would have considered. I was thus able to do better than I would have before because of it.

It was also said by Adivi that they intended ‘Major’ to be nationalistic rather than slavish. “Our goal was to make it entertaining, not a documentary.” For us, it was crucial that the fundamental elements of cinematic nature be present. We were quite measured in our approach. Although not jingoistic, we nonetheless wanted the movie to be patriotic. The whole film is based on the personality of Sandeep Sir. He was not the kind of guy to believe that India is superior to any other nation. He’ll ask himself, “How can I improve India?” That was promoted in the marketing as well, and as you can see, our movie doesn’t include any significant discourse directed at other nations,” he remarked.

The ‘Hit’ star also confessed that he gets emotional easily. “In 2018, I met uncle and amma,” he said. I have shed numerous tears in so many situations. I visited the Taj Hotel for the first time with them in 2018. Going to various memorials and gatherings over the course of five years seemed like a lifetime to me.

“Today I can tell you that I turned emotional not only during the making of the film, but I turn emotional often,” Sesh said. I promised myself that I would never forget this movie. Not because we haven’t finished the movie, but we will still be speaking with Sandeep Sir’s parents. In order to spend more time with them, I would want to purchase a second house in Bangalore.

2022 was hailed by Adivi as one of his finest years ever. “Hit and Major were two significant achievements.” I didn’t know what to do or how to go about it, so I sat at home for a year after that. I’ve always aimed for my new undertaking to be both more worthy and better than my past efforts. I declined a lot of movies for the same reason that I said. He came to the conclusion that “when you do something well, you always feel how to improve and find a new facet of yourself to give to the audience.”