Santhosh Shukla says he wanted to join the army after watching Border: Learnt that nothing should be above the nation

For Santhosh Shuka, his career in entertainment seems to offer a way for the actor to fulfill another one of his dreams- serving his nation. The actor recently opened up about how films played an important role in fostering his love for his country.

In conversation with Hindustan Time, the actor spoke of how he wanted to be a part of the Indian army after watching the 1997 film Border, written and directed by J. P. Dutta. Speaking of his eagerness to join the army, the actor talked about how the past saw many instances of everyone, irrespective of differences, coming together for the country. “I learnt that nothing should be above nation for us”, he said.

The actor went on to speak of how being an artiste had helped him in his desire to serve his country. Shukla said that as a full time actor, he achieved his dream of serving his country through his entertainment. He said that he always had a fondness for cinema, and wanted to see himself on the silver screen, which led him down the path of acting. The actor believed that people could support their country at the best of their capabilities, even without donning the army uniform.

Shukla said that he tried to visit cantonment areas whenever he was in Lucknow and spoke of how he essayed military characters in his films. He recounted his unreleased film Khatoon, for which he had to shoot in Himachal Pradesh for almost 25 days. The actor played a regiment soldier in the film and had to lose almost 16 kilograms for the part.

Although he was disappointed on the film not getting released, Shukla said he had also gotten a chance to don the uniform in the Akshay Kumar starrer Bachchan Pandey. Shukla played a police officer in the film, and said that wearing a uniform was very special for him.