Actor Varun Tej’s office in Hyderabad is adorned with an array of superhero collectibles, reflecting his deep admiration for comic book heroes and blockbuster films. Over the past decade, he has amassed these treasures, some of which he’s generously shared with friends, while others remain as eye-catching decorations in his workspace. Settling in for an interview with The Hindu, he discusses his upcoming Telugu-Hindi action extravaganza, “Operation Valentine,” slated for release on March 1st, which also marks his Hindi cinema debut. Interestingly, this milestone coincides with his ten-year journey in the film industry.
Varun Tej vividly recalls the start of his journey into cinema as he began filming for his debut project, “Mukunda,” on February 27, 2014. “Becoming an actor had always been my dream; it was truly a dream come true,” he reminisces. Reflecting on the changes since then, he notes, “Our perception of mainstream and experimental cinema has evolved. Films like ‘Kanche’ (2015) were considered experimental back then; today, they’d be deemed mainstream. I’ve been striving to stay abreast of these shifts.” He also remarks that it’s hard to believe it’s been a decade, especially considering the significant disruption caused by the pandemic, which seemingly consumed three years of normalcy.
During the pandemic, Varun rekindled his love for reading. “My dad (actor Nagababu) encouraged me to read because it helps an actor to vividly imagine a story while listening to a narration or reading a script,” he shares. Currently, he’s nearing the end of “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” by Yuval Noah Harari.
The ‘Fighter’ comparisons
In recent days, Varun Tej has been on the move, actively promoting “Operation Valentine,” helmed by debutant director Shakti Pratap Singh Hada. The film casts Varun Tej in the role of a fighter pilot involved in the Balakot airstrike following the Pulwama attacks. The trailer offers a glimpse into the world of fighter pilots within the Indian Air Force (IAF) and provides insight into their execution of the covert operation.
Varun candidly acknowledges the inevitable comparisons with director Siddharth Anand’s “Fighter,” starring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone as fighter pilots. However, he sheds light on how “Operation Valentine” came into his orbit towards the end of 2020, when director Shakti reached out through a mutual friend in Mumbai. Apart from being deeply moved by the narrative rooted in true events, Varun was intrigued by the rare exploration of war-based stories in Telugu cinema. “Hindi cinema has been exploring this genre for decades,” he notes, reminiscing about watching “Border” during his formative years. He acknowledges the surge in interest in war-based films post-“Uri: The Surgical Strike,” highlighting that their story is inspired by a lesser-known backend operation.
Sony Pictures, initially interested in partnering with Varun on a different project that didn’t materialize, saw the potential for “Operation Valentine” to be produced in both Hindi and Telugu. Varun reveals that the script underwent a rigorous approval process by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), involving various department heads. He shares that around nine to twelve scripts, based on similar events, were awaiting clearance at the MoD during this period. Varun clarifies that they were unaware of projects like “Fighter” or “Tejas” until teasers and trailers were released, by which time “Operation Valentine” was already well into production.
Varun is keenly aware of the tendency for movie enthusiasts who watch films in multiple languages to draw comparisons, especially between projects like “Fighter,” which itself drew parallels to “Top Gun Maverick.” However, he emphasizes that despite originating from the same set of real incidents, each filmmaker brings their unique interpretation and dramatized characters with distinct emotional arcs to their projects. “Our excitement stemmed from the prospect of introducing mid-air combats to Telugu cinema,” Varun explains. Initially considered an experiment, he now sees “Operation Valentine” as a mainstream film with broad, universal appeal.
Proximity to IAF and research
Varun was also impressed by Shakti Pratap’s meticulous research process. “He shared with me a showreel he had crafted about the Balakot airstrike, which had garnered significant attention online. The Indian Air Force (IAF) even reached out to him, acknowledging his work and expressing curiosity about his extensive knowledge,” Varun recounts. He adds that the IAF advised Shakti to seek permission for future endeavors, offering their cooperation. Subsequently, Shakti went on to produce several videos for the IAF, primarily for internal purposes, particularly during the launch of new fighter aircraft. His close association with the Air Force provided him with ample research material for the project.
Having previously served as an assistant director and visual effects supervisor for several Hindi films, Shakti had harbored aspirations of becoming a pilot himself. However, his dreams were thwarted by minor vision issues. “He possesses a fervent passion for both the armed forces and cinema, and this project seamlessly merges the two,” Varun remarks. The decision to make the film bilingual, Varun explains, was prompted by the availability of a budget to promote the film effectively in both languages.
A significant portion of “Operation Valentine” was shot at the bustling Gwalior air base. Varun reminisces, “At the time of filming, it housed 10-12 squadrons, which proved immensely advantageous for us.” He continues, “We were able to capture numerous takeoffs, landings, and sorties, enriching our footage. However, all content was subject to approval by the Indian Air Force (IAF), who carefully screened it for security purposes, determining what could be retained and what needed to be deleted.”
Devil is in the details
With a meticulous attention to detail, the film crew strived to accurately portray every aspect, from the attire of the pilots to their badges, designations, and even the nuances of their salutes. To ensure authenticity, two personnel from the Air Force—a public relations representative and a former radar officer—were present on set. “Even subtle differences, like the 15 to 20 degrees variation in salutes between the army, navy, and air force, were carefully examined,” Varun explains.
Script reading sessions, workshops, and interactions with Air Force officers were instrumental in helping Varun and his co-actors, including Manushi Chillar, Navdeep, Ruhani Sharma, and others, grasp the intricacies of the operations. Armed with insights into the physical demands and psychological aspects faced by combat pilots, Varun approached his interpretation in a personalized manner. “Occasionally, the director had a different vision, prompting discussions to find a middle ground,” Varun explains. “We were also focused on prioritizing emotions to prevent the narrative from becoming overly technical.”
Varun dedicated two months to Hindi diction classes. “My Hindi proficiency mostly comes from movies; while I can understand and speak to some extent, I’m not entirely fluent,” he shares. The training proved invaluable in delivering lines on set and for dubbing purposes. Varun notes that his Hindi voice has a more solid foundation compared to English and Telugu.
Varun expresses his desire for the audience to resonate with the drama and emotions portrayed in “Operation Valentine.” However, he hints at a shift in his next project, “Matka,” where he will embody a character with shades of grey. Reflecting on his experience with “Gaddalakonda Ganesh,” Varun acknowledges the freedom and room for experimentation that playing such characters affords actors. “I aim to be versatile in delivering entertainment, which is the core reason why I ventured into acting,” he concludes.
Reflecting on his recent films, Varun acknowledges that the sports drama “Ghani” ended up feeling “generic,” while “Gandeevadhari Arjuna” failed to resonate with audiences. “Perhaps we struggled to strike the right balance between entertainment and the underlying message of environmental concerns,” he muses. Varun shares that he seeks candid feedback from friends to objectively evaluate his work. “Recently, a friend confessed that he’s indifferent to where his waste ends up. This perspective made me realize that many people may share similar sentiments,” he reflects. “When portraying stories about environmental hazards, it’s crucial to convey the emotions more effectively.”
