Mumbai. Sooraj Pancholi is going to bring alive the historical character of Veer Hamirji Gohil in his first biopic. The teaser of the film ‘Kesari Veer: Legends of Somnath’ starring Sunil Shetty, Vivek Oberoi and Sooraj Pancholi was released yesterday. Debutant actress Akanksha Sharma is also making her debut with this film.
Sooraj underwent tremendous physical transformation to get into the character of a 14th century warrior who fought bravely to protect the Somnath temple. He underwent intensive training in archery, swordsmanship and endurance exercises under the supervision of experts.
Talking about his preparation, Sooraj said, “This character pushed me beyond my limits. I had to develop strength, agility and stamina, just like the warriors of that era had. Swordsmanship was the most challenging, as I had to maintain the authenticity of Hamirji Gohil’s fighting style while learning different combat techniques. The whole journey was extremely satisfying.”
He revealed that he underwent months of archery, swordsmanship and endurance training to transform into a strong warrior. He also learnt ancient combat techniques like horse riding and hand-to-hand combat from war experts.
Strict fitness routine and mastery of the art of war
For the role, Sooraj underwent a rigorous fitness routine, with special focus on strength and agility so that he could perform the action sequences with realism.
“Accuracy, control and breathing techniques are important in archery. I trained for weeks to master the right stance and aiming. I practiced by increasing the distance to the target so that it became natural for me, like it would be for a warrior. In swordsmanship, we first practiced the basics with wooden swords, then switched to real weapons. I learned attacks, defensive blocks and choreographed duels. Apart from this, I did weight training and resistance exercises to build strength so that I can perform long fight sequences without getting tired.”
Sooraj excited about his dream role
For Sooraj, this film is a big opportunity in his career. “Playing Veer Hamirji Gohil is a huge responsibility for me and I want to do justice to his legacy. I have never felt so deeply connected to any character before. Hamirji Gohil’s valour and sacrifice inspire me, and I hope I am able to portray his story correctly on screen.”
Directed by Prince Dhiman and produced by Kanhoo Chauhan of Chauhan Studios, the film promises to deliver a grand visual experience with grand sets and historic palaces recreated in a spectacular way. Kanhoo Chauhan’s film will be released across India in various languages and will hit the theatres on March 14, 2025.
(Anil Bedaag)
