The years he spent studying cinema while working behind the scenes were instrumental for Veer Pahariya, who used the knowledge to design his act for his debut film, Sky Force. Pahariya, who is cast as the lead alongside Akshay Kumar in the January 24 release, plays squadron leader Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya, a revered Maha Vir Chakra recipient celebrated for the valour he displayed during the 1965 Indo-Pak War. 

Pahariya hasn’t left any stone unturned to prepare for the role, spending over three and a half years comprehending Devayya’s life. The young actor recently met the Air Force officer’s family, including his 90-year-old wife, Sundari Devayya, and their daughters, Smitha and Preetha. “When you play a role like this one, the first emotion you feel is intimidation. I was intimidated by the magnitude of what I had before me. There’s so much written about him, but to [portray] him on the screen is a challenge. I told myself that if I put my head down and gave it my all, I would be able to crack it. I knew that if I did well, this film had the potential to inspire a whole generation of young people to join the armed forces,” the young actor tells mid-day.