‘What Farhan Akhtar told proved to be true’, Vivaan Bhatena narrated the story of shooting of ‘120 Bahadur’

New Delhi: Many things, including the cold weather of Ladakh and the breath-taking air at high altitude, shake any person to the core. Going to such a place is a big challenge in itself, and working there for months is no less than an ordeal. When the team of the film ‘120 Bahadur’ reached there for shooting, for them it was not just a film location, but an experience that changed them physically and mentally. Actor Vivaan Bhatena shared these experiences with IANS. He not only talked about the beauty and dangers of Ladakh, but also told how his thinking, his strength and his stamina changed while working there.

Vivaan Bhatena told in an interview to IANS that as soon as he stepped into Ladakh, he realized that this place is completely different from the rest of the world. He said, ‘When we reached Ladakh, my co-actor Farhan Akhtar told me something which stuck in my mind forever. Farhan had said that ‘Ladakh changes a person. It makes us realize how small and weak we are in front of the universe. His words proved to be completely true. As beautiful as Ladakh looks, it is equally challenging. It is kind of a ‘beautiful but dangerous’ place, a place that is pleasing to the eyes, but the slightest mistake can prove fatal.’ Vivaan said, ‘The conditions under which our soldiers defend the country are truly amazing. There is no human settlement there, no movement, only cold, altitude and desolate mountains. Still the soldiers stand firm. Only when we experienced all this ourselves, we realized the real difficulties of the soldiers.

Talk about the difficulties of shooting
During the shooting of the film, the actors and the rest of the team members had to adapt to these conditions. Vivaan told that initially the situation was so difficult that he could not walk even 400 meters easily. Due to the altitude, he needed to drink water every few steps. His body would get tired rapidly and he would become short of breath. But, the film demanded that he show the discipline and strength of a soldier, so he had to prepare himself a little more every day.

Description of shooting experience
The actor said, ‘Two months of continuous training and daily practice brought a big change in our ability. Gradually I started walking for 8 kilometers without getting tired. I used to roam around the entire village every day, so that my legs, lungs and body could gain enough strength that I could perform fight scenes like real soldiers. It was not just acting, it was a process that strengthened me both inside and out. Vivaan said, ‘Ladakh taught me that no challenge is big if a person is determined to overcome it. No matter how difficult the circumstances are, hard work and courage can lead a person to victory.