Lara Dutta said- my father was Indira Gandhi’s personal pilot, I am the daughter of a soldier, patriotism is in my blood

Bollywood actress Lara Dutta’s new film ‘Bell Bottom’ has been released on Thursday. The film has got a great response from the critics as well as the audience. Along with this, Lara Dutta is also being praised a lot in the film. Lara Dutta surprised everyone by playing the character of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the film. Seeing her look (Lara Dutta Indira Gandhi Look), hardly anyone recognized her for the first time. In a special conversation with ‘Navbharat Times’, Lara herself says that she could not recognize herself in this character. The actress told that her father was Indira Gandhi’s personal pilot, so her inputs also came in handy in the role. What else Lara Dutta said in connection with the film, read this special conversation:

Everyone was surprised to see you in the role of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the film. How did you get into this role?
Yes, everyone is saying that we could not even recognize you, so there were two phases of preparation. One is makeup and prosthetic, the credit of which goes to Vikram Gaikwad ji. He made a mold of my face, then made prosthetic pieces out of it. When the look was ready, everyone was a little surprised that yes, it is very similar. I myself was shocked to see myself in the mirror that hey father, I am not able to recognize myself. Then, I watched many of Mrs Gandhi’s interview videos to learn her gesture and style. Also, I am lucky that my father Wing Commander LK Dutta was in the Air Force. She was Indira Gandhi’s personal pilot for many years, so I have been listening to her stories since childhood, how she used to talk to people, how she behaved, so I also took many inputs from my father. As much as I have seen my role, I am very happy with myself and excited to know people’s reaction.

When you were offered this role, what was your first reaction? How did you agree to this?
This film was offered to me by Akshay Kumar in May 2020 when there was a lockdown. Akshay called me and said that Lara, this is a film in which I want you to do the role of Indira Gandhi. I was shocked that from where do you see Indira Gandhi in me. Door-door no similarity hai (laughs), but Akshay was confident that we would work on the look, but the body language and pause that is needed, I think you can play, he was more confident. I didn’t have that much myself. I was very nervous whether I will be able to do it or not, but every actor wants to play such an iconic personality once in their life and Indira Gandhi is such a personality that I think any actress who is offered this role, she will be 100 Doing percent.

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You guys took a bold decision to shoot the film as soon as the lockdown opened. Didn’t get scared then, because you have a younger daughter too?
There was absolutely fear. At that time there was no vaccine. We didn’t even know whether we would be able to get out of it or not. The news that was coming everywhere was quite negative, but I give a lot of credit to Vashu ji (producer) for deciding during that period that the film industry should not stop. No matter how hard we have to work, whatever protocols we have to follow, the work should not stop. He also got support from big stars like Akshay Kumar, who said that we walk. Then, all the panic was over with the safety arrangements we saw. The industry was also encouraged that if these people can do it, so can we. Slowly many people started shooting. It’s still coming to Bell Bottom Theaters even though theaters aren’t open in all states yet, but for theater owners, for so many people who work in it, it’s a big deal for them to start working. The theater industry has suffered so much that it becomes our responsibility to support each other.

Business wise, is it not a risky decision to release a film without opening theaters across the country?
Absolutely I believe so. The best situation for us would have been that theaters would have been fully open. The number of viewers would not have been 100 or even 50%, but we also cannot forget that Covidhas not disappeared. Even now the situation is serious in many places, but life cannot stop. We are repeatedly saying that if people go to the theatre, then go very carefully and following the covid protocol. I believe that Vashu ji has taken this step very thoughtfully. If they are going to release, they must have thought about their commercial as well.

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Two more patriotic films ‘Bhuj’ and ‘Shershah’ have also come along with Bell Bottom on 15th August, what do you think is the reason for this trend of patriotic films?
Look, according to me, all kinds of films should be made. Whether you make a patriotic film or a sportsperson, our industry has made many films inspired by true events or real people, but I never feel that man, I have seen a lot on these things, now looking nothing on them, Because being an Indian makes you very proud when you see your flag waving. With the Olympics going on, we were so happy to see our players. You never get tired of it. I love it when the stories of our unsung heroes are told. Like, the character Akshay plays in Bell Bottom, who has heard that there was a RAW agent who did this. No one knows, so bringing these characters on the big screen, it is a great thing for big stars to play them. This is part of our history. People should know which people made what sacrifices for their freedom or security.

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You yourself have raised the honor of the country by winning the crown of ‘Miss Universe’, what is the definition of patriotism for you?
I am a soldier’s daughter. My father has been in the Air Force, so it is written in our blood that there is nothing beyond our country. This is explained to us from the time we are born. My father has fought three wars for the country, in 1965, 1969, 1971. For this he has also won many medals, so we do not know anything other than this. No one can erase the patriotism we have with our blood. This is the hallmark of a soldier.