Waarrior Savitri actors Om Puri & Niharica Raizada perform some real life action stunts
Om Puri: ‘I have never been kicked on-screen by a lady’
Mumbai, 05th August 2016:
Niharica Raizada who plays the Central role of a Contemperory Savitri in the upcoming film ‘Waarrior Savitri’ speaks to FILMY TOWN:
What is Waarrior Savitri, the film about?
Savitri is the same character from the old Satyavan-Savitri where the Princess Savitri goes all out to protect her husband from the clutches of death. Satyavan is the penniless Rajkumar, yet Savitri is bent on marrying him. And she does.
The Royal Pundit says that if this girl marries him, Satyavan would die in one year. But she is determined.
This is the modern adaptation of the Satyavan-Savitri saga of Mahabharata.
Is it the old legend of Satyavan-Savitri retold?
Om Puri: Savitri is a modern day girl well versed with Judo-Karate and she is fighting with Yamraj (Lord of Death).
She is a martial art artiste with excellence in Kung Fu- Karate, Taekwondo and Shotokan Karate.
She confronts everybody who tries to bring harm to her husband in the film. Though she is aware that her husband has been cursed and bound to die.
So we really have a Yamraj the Lord of Death in the film?
Om Puri: There is a lot of interaction between Savitri and Yamraj.
There is a nice comedy angle to the story. It is a new take on that story. Om Puri is the X Factor in the film.
It was phenominal with Om Puri the well renowned actor who has NSD background (National School of Drama). He is such a wonderful person, very supportive of me as a newcomer and very adjustable.
We both are born on the 18th, and I feel that it could be the binding factor between us.
What is your background in Filmy Town?
I have done Masaan, Alone, 6-5 equals to 2.
I am born and brought up in Luxemborg which is like Switzerland, studied in London and USA where I did a course in New York Film Academy.
Initially, it was a bit difficult to adjust to Bollywood where the actresses have to be proficient with music and dance apart from acting. The females have to adapt themselves with music and dance.
I have been a dancer since my childhood, I am a Bharat Natyam student, therefore no problems for me.
Did you know about the legend of Satyavan – Savitri?
I have grown up watching Mahabharat. Even in Luxemborg, my daddy provided us with tapes of Mahabharata and this has been imbibed in me.
Praying is personal thing, where one is detached totally and I feel it is meditation along with praying.
What is the USP of the film?
The film was extensively shot in Jodhpur, Mumbai and Las Vegas, hence the film has the Western look. By the way I have quite a lot of kicks and punches which I performed myself.
So all the guys beware.
Even a heavy rainfall on a Friday afternoon didn’t deter the star cast of upcoming movie Waarrior Savitri to attend the media interaction activity. They showed that they are truly the new age superheroes. Debutante Niharica Raizada and veteran actor Om Puri who play ‘Savitri’ & ‘Yamraj’ respectively were present to interact with the gathered media. Powerful actor Karmveer Chaudhary who plays an important role in the film had also arrived for the media interaction.
Unlike those movies where mythological characters would don costumes of a by-gone era, characters in the film are depicted in a more relatable manner for today’s audience. Both Om ji & Niharica have shared an amazing on-screen rapport and that was visible in real life too. They both enacted a small fight sequence for the guests. Also present were producers of the film – Upendra Maheshwari & Bobby Kanda.
Om Puri said, “The audience will get to see my role of a Yamraj in a different avatar. Also for the first time in my career, I have been kicked on-screen by a lady.” He further added, “But more than that they should watch the film for Niharica’s acting. She has performed all her action sequences without using a body double.”
Actress Niharica Raizada was quoted, “I am glad that Waarrior Savitri is my debut film as I got an opportunity to portray all kinds of emotions ranging from romance to action. I don’t think there could have been any other better debut than this.”
‘Waarrior Savitri’ is a one woman army ready to take on the Death God – Yamraj for the love of her love! This Hindi film is a modern day adaption of the very famous fable – Satyavan Savitri.
Niharica Raizada plays the role of Savitri. With Waarrior Savitri, sexy siren Lucy Pinder makes her big Bollywood debut in India. Rajat Barmecha of Udaan fame plays the role of lovable Satya. Om Puri and Gulshan Grover essay pivotal roles.
Waarrior Savitri has been filmed in Jodhpur, Mumbai & Las Vegas. Upendra Maheshwari and Bobby Kanda have produced Waarrior Savitriunder the banner of Dr Bob’s Production and it will release on 25th August 2016.
Manoj Nandwana of Jai Viratra Entertainment Limited is the distributor. Param Gill is the writer & director of the film.
