Ajinkya Deo hails Farhan Akhtar's discipline and humility in 120 Bahadur: ‘He went through a lot...', Exclusive

Ajinkya Deo spoke at length about his journey into 120 Bahadur, the demanding shoot in Ladakh, and how his identity as an actor has evolved over the years. In his conversation with Moneycontrol.com, he opened up about stepping into powerful roles that now feel aligned with his maturity and presence. What emerges is a performer who has grown into his strength, reflecting with honesty, clarity and an acute sense of timing.

He began by recalling how the role found him through the casting team.
"Um, yeah. This came through, uh, the casting people. And, uh, and then, uh, audition. So they liked it. And, uh, Rizzi, of course reached out to me and Rizzi, Rizzi guy is the director of the film. And Excel is of course, uh, producing it. So yeah, then, then they, uh, job shortlist. I met Rizzi at Excel office and he was very, very happy to, uh, have me on board. And I was very happy to be on board. Till then. We didn't. But, uh, India, China. I was very, very impressed. And I was of course on it in any case. Or, uh, and then we got the basics of the look and everything. And then eventually, of course, we went to shoot in Ladakh. So it was a fantastic progression as we, as we went through the film."

Deo said that early phase set the tone for a role that many viewers did not expect. Known for his charming Marathi characters, he walked on screen here as a Brigadier with commanding presence.
"But I think, I think I fit the bill. I mean, I walked in with the uniform. So he was extremely impressed. So, yeah. So, it's a very powerful role. It's a very powerful character. So yes, it was, it was a fantastic reason. I mean, it was, it was lovely to see myself on screen as a Brigadier and I loved it."

Working with Farhan Akhtar brought its own layer of discovery. Deo spoke with rare admiration for Farhan’s attitude and discipline.
"Excellent, excellent, excellent, excellent human being, excellent human being, no qualms at all. But look, uh, such a, such a lovely director himself and an actor with so much accomplishment. But with, uh, when it came to being on set, he was like, okay. So, you know, he never, ever, uh, uh, uh, you know, showed anything at all. He, you know, he knows so many things. So I, I salute that kind of, uh, attitude towards work and discipline. And, uh, again, a very, very lovely human being. You will see the film when it releases. So I don't want to give a breakthrough. But, uh, where the climax was, uh, these guys really went through a lot of things and, uh, and he had to be lying there without moving once he was there. And, you know, you, you feel very nice when your co-actors are so disciplined and they love their art and craft. So, so I think it was a fantastic experience working with Farhan."