Mahesh Shetty recently captivated audiences with his role in Siddharth Anand’s action-packed thriller, ‘Fighter’. With his charming smile and acting prowess, Mahesh has carved a special place in the hearts of viewers. In the film, he portrays Squadron Leader Rajan Unninathan, the wingman to Patty (played by Hrithik Roshan), alongside Deepika Padukone and Anil Kapoor.
Reflecting on his ‘Fighter’ experience, Mahesh shared insights into the trials faced by the cast, from enduring freezing temperatures to immersing themselves in Air Force life. “We shot a significant portion of the film at one of India’s largest air bases, using real fighter jets. Living among Air Force officers, we absorbed invaluable lessons daily. It was a challenge, being almost cut off from the outside world without our phones due to security measures. Yet, it’s an experience I’ll always cherish,” Mahesh remarked. Recounting their stint in Kashmir, he described battling -2 degrees and heavy snow while filming intense scenes. “Shooting in the snow isn’t a leisurely holiday; it’s demanding,” he emphasized.
Mahesh delved into the rigorous preparation, including flight simulations and a boot camp arranged by director Siddharth Anand. “Hrithik and I underwent intense training, interacting with officers to understand aircraft nuances and undergoing physical preparation. Raymon, an officer, guided us on body language for authenticity,” he explained. Additionally, Mahesh attended NSG boot camps to grasp the essence of being in uniform.
Currently, Mahesh is immersed in his upcoming series, ‘Kan Khajura,’ an adaptation of the Israeli show ‘Magpie,’ featuring Mohit Raina and Roshan Mathew.
