Ashmit Patel is back on the big screen with Sector Balakot: A War Economy. He plays a terrorist role in the movie. It is helmed by Hitesh Paulbhai Khristy. It also stars Vipul Gupta and Puneet Isaar in pivotal roles. The trailer of the movie was launched recently, and it is all set for a theatrical release on February 17. In an exclusive interaction with The Free Press Journal, the actor talks about the movie, and his role, and looks back at his journey. Excerpts:
Is this film an amalgamation of all world wars or any war between specific countries?
It talks collectively about the war, the acts of terrorism, and the war that has happened worldwide. But it does not focus on anything in particular.
How easy or difficult was it for you to play a terrorist?
I had played the role of a terrorist earlier. My character, Abu Salim, in the web series, Peshawar, was motivated by jihad, and it was a revenge story as his family was attacked. So, he had a personal vendetta. But this one is different. In Sector Balakot, it’s purely a business of war. There is a little bit of action.
Sohail Khan lent his support to release your song. What do you want to say about the Khans?
They keep surprising me with their generosity. I messaged him to attend the launch and unveil everything. He readily accepted my invitation. On the day of the launch, he was slightly delayed and requested me to inform the guests about the delay. Khans are extremely down to earth. I have no words to express my enormous love for the family. Alvira Khan Agnihotri ties rakhi to me every year. Their love for me is huge, and vice versa.
You had your share of struggles. So how do you look at your journey?
It is the survival of the fittest. I thank the universe. I guess still being relevant is huge. I don’t know the reason, but it has something to do with karma. I think I am a good human being. I have never intentionally hurt anybody, nor have I done anything inadvertently. I am quite a good soul. Maybe that has something to do with my going on.
A still from the film |
What are your expectations from Sector Balakot: A War Economy?
Given the current state of affairs, it's difficult to have high hopes for the box office. However, Pathaan doing well is a big boost for us. Somewhere, people are now making their way to the theatres. That habit was broken due to the pandemic. The convenience of having the content on OTT at your fingertips whenever you want was too much to justify going to the theatre. I hope Pathaan has given people a chance to understand what they were missing and that they will start going to theatres regularly.
As far as my film goes, it’s a very small film. I can’t take the names of Pathaan and Balakot in the same breath. There can’t be a comparison with Shah Rukh Khan. However, ours is a small film with a big heart. Everybody has become associated with it and put their whole heart and soul into it. If people watch my film and appreciate it, that is all I can ask for. The rest depends on destiny.
