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On 26/11 today, Adivi Sesh and Saiee Manjrekar arrived at the iconic hotel in Mumbai, which faced a brutal terror attack, 13 years ago. The actors, a part of Major, a film based on martyr Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan of the 26/11 terror attack, met the latter’s parents. The event had a screening of a video that depicted all the prep Adivi went through as he researched as the writer of the film and also stepped into the shoes of the titular role.

Adivi said, “My goal was to understand Sandeep’s mind, heart and soul. It was a sincere intention to tell the story right. I want it that once uncle and aunty see the film they feel satisfied. The bond that I developed with uncle and aunty (Saneep’s parents – K Unnikrishnan and Dhanalaxmi Unnikrishnan) was just like family. I was ready to have uncle ka daant and aunty ke haath ka khaana. I forgot that we had met to make a movie. It went beyond that. I told my parents that I would want to keep in touch with Major’s parents even after the film wraps.”

Adivi says that due to the pandemic as the film took long to make, he utilised the time to understand his character better. “I was trying to grab every bit of him. How he thought… how he reacted…what he liked to eat…what made him smile…just everything. He was a big animal lover. He had rescued puppies and eagles. Also, I went on gaining weight as the story progressed and as the character aged.”

The film also stars Saiee Manjrekar as Sandeep’s sweetheart. About being a part of the project, she said, “As my second film, it was quite a serious project to be a part of. I didn’t ever dream that in my second film itself I would be a part of a film that’s based on a real hero. Throughout the project I knew that I was representing a real life personality. I was being extra careful as I didn’t want to misrepresent it.”