In a candid conversation with The Pioneer, Ankit Anil Sharma opens up about his transformative journey portraying Santaji Gorpade in Chhaava and dives deep into the intense physical and mental preparation he underwent, opting for traditional Indian training methods over modern gyms to capture the essence of a warrior
Tejal Sinha
Ankit Anil Sharma, known for his dedication and versatility, takes on the role of Santaji Gorpade in Chhaava, a film based on the life of the legendary warrior. In this exclusive interview, Ankit shares his journey into portraying one of history’s greatest warriors, his preparation for the role and the challenges he faced while embodying Santaji Gorpade’s strength and loyalty. Ankit recalls his initial reaction when he was approached for the role, revealing that he had always admired Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj since childhood. “I have admired Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj since childhood and he has always been my idol,” he says. Initially, Ankit auditioned for the role of Dhanaji Maharaj, but fate led him to portray Santaji Gorpade. “It was an incredible feeling, a moment of pure joy,” he recalls. This unexpected turn of events allowed him to step into the shoes of a warrior whose loyalty and bravery were unparalleled in Indian history.
To better understand his character, Ankit turned to Shivaji Sawant’s novel Chhaava, the inspiration behind the film. He explains how this book played a crucial role in shaping his understanding of Santaji Gorpade. “Through this journey, I got to learn a lot about my character, the Ghorpade family lineage, and the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. It was a deeply enriching experience,” he reflects.
Taking on the role of such a legendary figure required extensive mental and physical preparation. Rather than focusing on modern gym training, Ankit chose to immerse himself in traditional Indian workout techniques to prepare for the role. He trained in an akhada, a traditional Indian gym where warriors would train using exercises that date back centuries. “Instead of going to the gym, the choice was made to train in an akhada, following traditional Indian exercises. This helped in understanding how people trained in earlier times before modern gyms existed,” Ankit shares. The focus of this training was on building a broader physique through exercises like repetitive movements and training with natural elements such as mud, unlike the muscle definition-focused approach of modern gyms.
Ankit’s commitment to physical transformation was no easy feat. “Indian-style training builds a broader physique. It involves exercises like sitting, standing, and repetitive movements, shaping the body using the earth itself—training with mud,” he explains. This shift in his workout routine posed certain challenges, but Ankit embraced it wholeheartedly, recognising that it was essential to embody the warrior spirit of Santaji Gorpade.
In addition to physical preparation, Ankit had to master the skills of sword fighting and horse riding to authentically portray his character. The challenges were compounded by the monsoon season, which added an element of fear and danger to the intense training sessions. “The shoot happened during monsoon and it lasted for three months. We followed the traditional Maharashtrian style of sword fighting and horse riding continues even now with practice in different techniques such as riding fast, riding slow, wielding a sword in one hand, and holding a shield in the other,” he says. One particular memory stands out for him: “During the rainy season, we used to go horse riding, but I always felt scared. The area was full of snakes, which made me even more nervous. Our training teacher would often mention that a snake had appeared the previous day, which only added to my fear. Even while riding the horse, I couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease. Despite the fear, it was still a fun experience.”
Sword fighting was another skill that pushed Ankit to his limits. He recalls a particularly terrifying incident: “Once during training, a talwar almost hit my eye. In that moment, my whole life flashed before me. It was a terrifying experience that made me realise the importance of staying fully conscious and aware, especially while shooting or performing any scene.”
While physical training was intense, the emotional bond formed with his fellow cast members was just as significant. Ankit had the opportunity to collaborate with Vicky Kaushal, and he speaks highly of the experience. “It was a very good experience. He was extremely cooperative and supportive. There was a lot of fun on set, but everyone was serious when needed. When he arrived in costume and makeup, people started calling him ‘Raazi’ and the name stuck,” Ankit recalls with a smile. He mentions Vicky’s discipline as well, stating, “He would hit the gym at 4 or 5 AM, working out in his vanity. Others would just be waking up and stepping out of their vans, while music blasting from his vanity signaled that he was already there.”
Throughout the shoot, he was fortunate enough to work with seasoned actors like Ashutosh Rana and Vineet Kumar, who offered valuable lessons. “I spoke to Ashutosh sir the most. We used to sit together for hours, and I call him Guruji. Many people do, but for me, it holds a special meaning,” Ankit shares. Their conversations, which covered topics from acting to spirituality and politics, helped Ankit deepen his understanding of his craft. He also sought advice from Vineet Kumar, a doctor, who offered guidance on various matters. “Vineet Bhai is a doctor, so I often sought his advice on various matters. He gave me a lot of useful suggestions, which I truly appreciated.”
Despite the long shooting period, his passion for the project never wavered. “The set used to be incredibly beautiful. On days when there was no shoot, I would wonder why there was a break and wish we were filming instead,” he admits. His love for the set and the environment, along with the camaraderie of his fellow actors and crew members, kept him motivated.
Playing a historical figure like Santaji Gorpade left a lasting impact on Ankit, especially in terms of understanding loyalty. “The one thing that touched me was the loyalty of Santaji Gorpade. He dedicated his entire life to Shivaji and Sambhaji. Playing this character made me realize how important loyalty is,” he reflects.
Looking ahead, Ankit shares his enthusiasm for playing more historical roles and real-life figures. “I enjoy playing historical characters. They feel comfortable to me, and I find them fascinating. But beyond historical roles, I would also love to portray real people in biographical films—understanding someone’s life and preparing accordingly for the character excites me,” he says.
Ankit is also excited about his upcoming projects, including Kannada film titled Toxic with Yash Raj. “The shooting for Toxic is happening simultaneously, and there is another project that is almost finalized, but I can’t reveal details about it just yet,” he teases.
