'Even when things get tough and seem hopeless, it is our family and friends that pull us through.'
Parineeti Chopra's last release Saina was a story about perseverance, dreams, and passion as she brought badminton champion Saina Nehwal's life on screen.
The movie celebrated the winning enthusiasm of a little girl from Haryana who goes on to become the first Indian badminton player to win a medal at the Olympics.
While the film fared decently on OTT, it is all set for a television premiere on July 25 on Zee Cinema.
Rediff.com Contributor Prateek Sur engages the busy actress in a quick interview about the film, where she says, "It took me six months to understand the nuances of badminton and only then did I go on set."
Sports biopics are the hardest to train for. What was your journey like while training for Saina?
It definitely was a challenge because even back in school, I was more inclined towards academics and the creative side of things.
To perfect the role, I had to get into the mind of being an athlete.
I went through a lot of training to understand the body language and techniques of an ace shuttler.
Saina (Nehwal), and the team that coached me, were great and I'm grateful that they were so supportive.
It really helped me bring out that authenticity for the character.
It took me six months to understand the nuances of badminton and only then did I go on set.
The excitement and nervousness made this whole experience very memorable.
What has been your biggest takeaway from Saina Nehwal's life?
Her life screams perseverance.
Her resilience and unbreakable spirit have inspired an entire nation.
This movie gave me the opportunity to learn a little more about Saina as a person.
Skill aside, an athlete’s mindset is an unmatched weapon.
That fighting spirit, passion and never-give-up attitude is something that I look up to.
In the movie, Saina's family, coach and friends were her strong support system. Who has been a constant support system in your life?
My family. I have really come to realise how important family is in life and it has resonated with me even more during the pandemic.
Even when things get tough and seem hopeless, it is our family and friends that pull us through.
In the long run, it is this unconditional love and constant support that becomes our armour and lets us take on any battle fearlessly.
