Exclusive: Operation Valentine stars Varun Tej & Manushi Chhillar on their journey in the industry

What drew you to your character as an Indian Air Force pilot in Operation Valentine?

Varun Tej (VT) : It was different, challenging, and inspiring. I wanted to explore new dimensions as an actor, and portraying an Indian Air Force pilot allowed me to push my boundaries. The moment I heard about it; I knew I wanted to do it. More than the story, the character drove me to accept this role.

As Operation Valentine marks your Hindi film debut, how do you envision your journey ahead in Bollywood after this impactful role?

VT: I believe that any actor's acceptance is very important be it in any language. And honestly I don't think about the long haul right now, it's just one step at a time, today there are no barriers to language especially how the entertainment industry is under one umbrella. 

Among the various roles you've played, is there one that resonates with you the most, and if so, why?

VT: Each role tells a different story. There is something to learn and take back from each film or characters I portray.

Manushi, can you tell us about the research you did to portray the role of a radar officer in Operation Valentine?

Manushi Chhillar (MC): My prep for Operation Valentine, included a lot of basics just to simply understand the structure of the air force, understand what a radar officer is supposed to do, basic things like body language, the tonality of your voice and how to give a certain command. These are the few things that I had to work on. Fortunately, we had someone from the air force on set to guide us. It was not just learning how to portray a radar officer, but also learning the things that happen in the air force. Understanding all of that was a completely new world. I am a DRDO kid, so obviously I know things on the surface but this was just me going deep into it. 

What aspects of your character's journey or the story as a whole inspired or impacted you personally during the filming process?

MC: Ahana, my character, is someone that I could really relate to and understand. She really balances out Varun's character in the movie, which is so important. And at the same time, her pragmatic approach towards things and the fact that she can keep her emotions aside to make sure that she's able to perform her duties in the best possible manner makes her awesome. She's really cool. I think Ahana is one of the coolest characters I've ever read about. The one aspect that I could really relate to with Ahana was simply the situation that she is in. We are all justified, where we are coming from, and we all have a certain point of view. And sometimes it can be so difficult to bridge that gap and make another person understand why you believe a certain thing has to be done a certain way. And I think communication is the key. I felt that, sometimes that situation arises so much, whether it's in your workplace, or in your family, within your friends or within partners. I felt like this is a thing that happens so often in life.

You've taken on various roles, from a beauty queen to an actor. What inspired you to venture into the film industry, and what has been the most fulfilling aspect of this new career path?

MC: I got the right platform and the right opportunities at the right time in my life, and that I do owe to Miss World. But at the same time, I've always enjoyed being on stage, since childhood. But because I came from a family of doctors and I grew up in a very different world, far far away from the film industry, I always looked at it as a hobby and I never thought I'd pursue a career in it. The fact that I'm getting to do it right now is surreal. I think it's wonderful. I enjoy every bit of it and I feel like life is what you make it, from medicine to pageantry to acting now. I think I'm very fortunate to be able to get these opportunities in my life and to be able to explore them. I'm focused and dedicated towards bettering myself and making sure that I always give it my best shot. The most fulfilling aspect of this new career path is the fact that with every role, you understand the audience better. With every release, you understand the audience better; you understand people better. And at the same time with every role you understand yourself better; there's a lot of self-discovery and that whole process of filmmaking is something that I've fallen in love with.

How do you stay grounded and focused amidst the attention and expectations that come with being a public figure?

MC: I think the number one contributing factor to this would be the fact that I live with my family. I find myself lucky that they agreed to move to Mumbai when I became Miss World because I was going to pursue a career in films. The minute my day is over and I am done being a celebrity, I go back home and they bring me back to reality. They always remind me of where I come from and that’s so important, to not forget your roots no matter how high you soar. Also, it's important to remind ourselves that in our profession, fame is the byproduct of what we do, which is lovely. You get so much love from people, and I feel I'm fortunate to experience that in my life. 

Amidst your busy schedule, how do you prioritise self-care and maintain a healthy work-life balance?

MC: You don’t have a 9-5 Monday to Friday or Monday to Saturday schedule, it's very haphazard. You are always all over the place. A lot of self-discipline is required in this field, but I really enjoy it because there is so much self-care involved simply in preparation. You have to take care of yourself, like every musician has to tune their instruments, for an actor your body is your instrument whether it's your voice or fitness. You are spending twelve hours on set and if you're doing action, it is physically exhausting. Also, there is a certain amount of vanity in it. You need to feel good to look good.  

Balancing personal life and a demanding career can be challenging. How do you maintain that balance, especially in an industry known for its hectic schedules?

VT: I was shooting before, after, and during my wedding. I am fortunate enough to have my family who have been in the industry for a very long time. At the end of the day, you have to shut the doors to work once you get home. Takes time but you will get a hang of it. 

How do you see your personal life enriching your craft or impacting the roles you choose in the future?

VT: It's not always about what you like, it's about catering to your audience and knowing. I am not sure how personal life would enrich your craft, I believe that when you are in this entertainment business, the primary thing is to understand your audience and to cater to their interests. Again, as an actor you cannot limit yourself to what you like as a person. It all depends on the script. 

How do you think Operation Valentine contributes to your evolving career in the film industry?

MC: Operation Valentine is my third release, and as someone who is new, this role is so different. Acting is a lot of self-discovery, and as someone who is wanting to learn and grow, you don't always get roles where you get to be a female officer in the armed forces. So for me, it was a matter of great pride to be able to portray this role and at the same time to learn and understand what these women go through, what their daily challenges must be like. It was a learning experience. Every role teaches you something new. I have learnt a lot, not because of the kind of role that I’ve portrayed in this film, but also the fact that this is my first Telugu film. 

What challenges did you face while preparing for a high-action film like this, especially portraying a role in the Air Force?

VT: This is the first time I am shooting a bilingual. I had to learn Hindi for this film, having said that every role has its challenges and there is no fun without any challenges.