For Sanjay portraying the role was literally a walk down the memory lane. Sanjay being a Kashmiri Pandit was forced to forsake his home under tragic circumstances. "I returned to my roots after 18 years.
Naturally it was a very nostalgic and over whelming experience. And I managed to visit my erstwhile home in Srinagar. A lot has changed, infact a whole new generation has come up, since we left, " he feels.
Speaking about his role Sanjay reveals "As far as my character goes, I play a reformed militant leader, who is brokering peace between the separatists and the authorities. Call him the proverbial bridge over troubled waters." The actor denies that his role draws parallel to any real life political figure from the valley. "This is a complete work of fiction." he clarifies.
Providing a glimpse into the storyline, he informs, "The story revolves around this teenager who has a passion for football and aspires to play for the national team.
One fine day, he finds an abundant gun and his life doesn't remain the same any more." Adding further, he goes on, "The situation in the film is very generic.
Kashmir is simply a backdrop; the plot can unfold in any conflict zone like present day Iraq or the North East. Sikandar is not providing a solution or taking a stand, it is simply telling a poignant story.
And keeping the sensitivity of the subject in mind, director Piyush Jha has done a brilliant job in bringing out the correct essence."
Mention his young co actors and he comments, "Parzaan and Ayesha Kapur are amazing. In fact it is heartening to see how these kids portray such complex characters with so much ease. They look so candid and yet get so deep into the skin of the character."