Mumbai, Aug 14 (PTI) Popular actor Gashmeer Mahajani believes the finite-series format can encourage actors who have moved away from television to return to the medium and believes his upcoming show “108 Base Hospital – Uri” will set a new precedent for the industry.
Mahajani, known for his work in Marathi films such as “Deool Band” and “Phullwanti” as well as television shows including “Imlie”, “Tere Ishq Mein Ghayal” and “Khatron Ke Khiladi”, headlines the 30-episode series, which celebrates the unsung bravery of army doctors.
“I believe that this entire endeavour should work. It will set a very good precedent in the industry and a lot of actors who are away from TV will once again prefer to do TV because it’s an interesting format,” Mahajani told PTI in an interview.
“Besides, in 30 episodes, the content remains intact, you don’t need to play around things because it’s planned in a certain way and is going to end in those many episodes and that there’s no need to stretch the story because you already have the story in place,” he added.
“108 Base Hospital – Uri” follows doctors, nurses and medical personnel who work against time to treat wounded soldiers and give them another chance to return to the frontlines and their families.
Mahajani plays Dr Major Aniruddh, while Erica Fernandes features as Dr Major Naina.
The actor said he immediately accepted the project and was particularly surprised to learn that army doctors are required to be combat-ready.
“I got to don the army uniform and play an army officer for the first time. I got my hair short on screen after a very long time, otherwise, I’ve always had long hair. So, these physical and materialistic changes have been new,” he said.
“Besides, I learnt that they have to be combat-ready and use that training in terms of shootouts. If you see an army doctor, he is subtle, polite, suave kind of a guy and you cannot imagine the other wild side of him if he has to get into combat,” he added.
Mahajani said the series is not merely an action-driven or patriotic story but also explores the personal lives and struggles of army families.
“It is not just one piece of news that we’re giving through this show that it is about an army family, the obstacles that they face, their traumas and how they tackle things, they are also humans, just like all of us,” he said.
“They too have family, friends, love life, and they protect the nation at the borders. So, ‘108 Base Hospital Uri’ is a human story, and the backdrop is action, which is never-before-seen action on TV,” he added.
The cast underwent training to understand basic military protocols, including handling firearms.
“There are a lot of nitty-gritties, but there are people on set who guide you through all that, for about 15-20 days until they feel sure that we got it correct,” Mahajani said.
He added that the episodes are approved by the Army, with scenes being reshot if they are found to be inaccurate.
Mahajani also recalled his first visit to Kashmir, where the series was shot in Bhaderwah.
“This is the first time I visited Kashmir because of this show. When I first arrived, there was a loud sound at 3 am and initially I thought there was an attack because after I stepped out of the room, I saw the lights go off and no one was around, I got scared,” the actor said.
“Later, I realised it was a thundering sound and I laughed at myself for thinking I was a coward,” he added.
The actor, who has worked across Marathi and Hindi cinema, television and web series, said he is now looking to expand into production.
“I am chasing to be a producer because it gives you complete creative control. We’ve started work on a Marathi movie and I’m acting in it too,” Mahajani said.
He added that he may not necessarily act in every project he produces, depending on the demands of the story.
Produced by The Epic Company and co-produced by A-Game Entertainment, “108 Base Hospital – Uri” also stars Nikkhil Khurana, Ayoshi Talukdar, Hiten Tejwani and Smita Bansal, among others.
The series will premiere on August 15 and air on Saturdays and Sundays on COLORS and JioHotstar. PTI KKP RB RB
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