COVER STORY: Veer Pahariya On Sky Force His Passion For Acting and More

Veer Pahariya was born with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth. Grandson to politician Sushil Kumar Shinde, he had the world at his feet. He could have asked for the sun, the moon and the earth and got it. But Veer had different aspirations. He dreamt big, he dreamt cinema… that he had no film connection, didn’t faze him. After studying management abroad, he decided to gamble on his creative side. And once the young star stepped onto a film set for the first time, there was no turning back. He was instantly spellbound by the cinematic universe, like a moth to a gloriously glamorous flame. From adorning his childhood room with Filmfare covers featuring the likes of Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan to gracing one himself, Veer is on the verge of a major breakthrough. His highly anticipated Bollywood debut in Sky Force, alongside heavyweights like Akshay Kumar, Sara Ali Khan and Nimrat Kaur, has already won hearts and captured attention. The actor caught up with Filmfare to chat about his journey. From embracing his reality as a newcomer without a film background to his undying love for an underdog story makes for an interesting tale. And trust us, this is just the beginning…

What motivated you to become an actor?

It was my lifelong dream to become an actor. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want this. When I was about five years old, I used to collect Filmfare magazines. I still have them in my collection, which I used during a recent Q&A session for a shoot. One cover featured Shah Rukh Khan and another had Hrithik Roshan with the headline “Hrithik Roshan Phenomenon”. These were my early memories. Then, I visited a film set and something just clicked within me. I made it my goal to turn this into my lifelong passion.

How did you get selected for Sky Force? Do you remember the day you signed the film?

It wasn’t just one moment; it took several months. After auditioning for a while, I finally landed an audition for another project by Maddock Films, which didn’t work out. On the day of the look test for Sky Force, I had long hair and a beard, they transformed me completely. I had no idea what the film was about at that point. They cut my hair short, gave me a military-style moustache and put me in overalls. I had no idea what I was getting into. Months later, I heard the narration and it was an easy decision. At that point, I was ready to take on anything. I think it was my intense features that landed me the role. Most of my acting in the film is done through my eyes, as I wear a mask and a headgear that restricts my facial expressions. What I initially saw as a weakness ended up becoming my strength.

Tell us about your bond with Sky Force co-stars Akshay Kumar, Sara Ali Khan, and Nimrat Kaur.

Working with Akshay sir was overwhelming at first because he’s someone we’ve all grown up watching. But when I went on the set, he was so welcoming and comforting that he immediately broke the ice with me. With Sara and Nimrat ma’am, they were both very easy going and not at all intimidating, despite knowing that I was a newcomer. They eased me into the process. Over time, we realised that we all wanted to do our best, so we would work on scenes and try them in different ways. That’s how the chemistry in the film developed.

What was your biggest fear before Sky Force released?

I didn’t have any fear at all. I was just grateful for the opportunity to live my dream. Every day on earth is a good day.

How do you feel post-release, now that Sky Force has been received well?

I’m just happy to be accepted. I know I don’t look like a typical hero. But I’m aware of my strengths and weaknesses. I’m here to bring something new to the table. I’m aiming to break barriers and change the game.

When was the first time your family saw Sky Force, and what was their reaction?

They saw it at the screening the night before the release. They were happy and proud.They were quite emotional during the climax.

How do you feel post-release, now that Sky Force has been received well?

I’m just happy to be accepted. I know I don’t look like a typical hero. But I’m aware of my strengths and weaknesses. I’m here to bring something new to the table. I’m aiming to break barriers and change the game.

When was the first time your family saw Sky Force, and what was their reaction?

They saw it at the screening the night before the release. They were happy and proud.They were quite emotional during the climax.

Do you consider your brother’s and mother’s opinions when choosing a film?
For Sky Force, I didn’t really have a choice in selecting the film. I had been selected a few months ago. For a few weeks after that, I didn’t tell anyone in my family. I had been rejected a few times before, so I became a bit superstitious and chose to keep it to myself. God has been kind. And now, with the love the film has received, I feel blessed. Going forward, I will certainly seek advice from my family. But I feel the decision should come from a place of clarity and sincerity in my heart.

See Also: Sky Force Movie Review: Slice of Forgotten War History

Would you call yourself a director’s actor?

I believe a film is primarily a director’s medium. However, I’m open to collaboration. I’m happy to provide whatever is needed from me,. I love acting and if the director wants me to bring something specific to the table, I’ll do it. I’m also comfortable improvising if the situation calls for it. Ultimately, I feel it’s the director’s vision that guides the film.

What kind of roles interest you?

Like any other young adult, I love casual clothes and never imagined I’d play a war hero or an Air Force officer. But the audience seemed to enjoy my performance precisely because they didn’t expect it. I want to continue taking on roles that surprise people and step outside the typical mould. Hopefully, in my next film, I can change my look again and surprise everyone once more.

What kind of projects did you work on before Sky Force?

I worked on a project called Alone. After that, I did a film called Bazaar, followed by Satyamev Jayate. During that time, I was also making music. I had a YouTube channel where I built a small audience and would get paid for performing at college festivals and schools. I also worked on a few ad jingles. It was surreal to hear stars like Arjun Kapoor lip-sync to my voice when I was 19 or 20, back in 2014-2015. Spending a lot of time on the set gave me exposure to various departments—whether it was direction, lighting, costumes or production design. I also worked as a body double for Varun Dhawan in Bhediya and assisted on the film. After that, I did another project and then Sky Force came along.

We’ve seen you have a lot of friends in the film industry. Do you consider yourself an insider or an outsider?

I’ve always been an outsider. I didn’t make friends before joining the industry; I wasn’t related to anyone in films. No one in my family had any ties to the creative world. I’m the first artiste in my family. So, my association with the industry is purely based on the work I’ve done. Anyone who comes to Mumbai gets associated with people from the film industry, simply because it’s a small world. My friends in the industry are kind and gracious. But that doesn’t guarantee work.

Which actors have inspired you over the years?

As I mentioned earlier, Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan were my early inspirations.
I also really admire Sushant Singh Rajput’s choice of roles; he had such an original voice. I love underdog stories, so these are the actors I look up to. I also admire Ranveer Singh for his bold and diverse choices. All these actors were initially dismissed when they entered the industry. But they proved themselves. And that’s a journey
I really resonate with.

Tell us about your childhood and family.

It was a good childhood, although I was quite an introvert. I spent a lot of time watching movies.
I would often connect with the characters in them, as they became my friends. That was my world back then. Now my family is proud of the success of Sky Force.

Take us through your school and college life. How was that?

I moved around quite a lot as a child, attending several schools, because I travelled with my mother. I lived in Mumbai, Delhi and later went to a boarding school in Haryana. Convincing my parents that I wanted to pursue a career in the arts was a challenge. After a lot of back and forth, we reached a compromise: I would earn a degree in finance and management to make them happy. Then I could pursue my dream of acting. So, while studying, I also began auditioning and working on film sets. I started interning at the age of 17. It’s been over a decade since I first began working in the industry.

Out of new-age actors like Vedang Raina, Lakshya, Ishaan Khatter, Siddhant Chaturvedi and Junaid Khan, whose work do you enjoy the most?

I love all of their work. They all put in a lot of effort and hard work to get where they are, so I wouldn’t pick one over the others.

You’re active on social media. Does creating content online add pressure to you as an actor?

Not at all. I view it as a positive. In 2025, social media is essential. I’ve realised that people today are more likely to follow their favourite stars on their phones or through digital platforms than they are to go to the theatre.
It’s a great way to connect with fans.Veer Pahariya is here to stay. He makes his intentions clear to Vedanshi Pathak. Continue reading …Read More