“Playing an army doctor for the first time,” says Gashmeer Mahajani talks about COLORS’ ‘108 Base Hospital – Uri’

COLORS’ ‘108 Base Hospital – Uri’ has garnered immense appreciation and a positive response from audiences, bringing a never-before-seen genre of an army hospital series. A finite series, the show goes beyond the battlefield to explore the lives of those who serve within the army and military hospital. It brings together the intensity of combat, the challenges of saving lives and the personal worlds of army doctors and officers, offering a closer look at the human stories behind the uniform. Stepping into the role of Dr. Major Anirudhh and playing an army doctor for the first time in his career, Gashmeer Mahajani opens up about what drew him to this unique show, preparing for the role, its larger message and what audiences can expect from the show.

1. What made you say yes to the show?
A. I’m playing an army doctor for the first time in my career, thanks to the decision to say yes to this show. Also, the fact that it is a finite show really appealed to me. In the last 10 years, I haven’t had the opportunity to play such a character. Moreover, Samar Khan is the producer, and he has been making army-based shows for a long time. So, with Samar at the helm and COLORS being like a home ground for me, it felt like the right opportunity. In some sense, I feel the show chose me.

2. What are the themes that this show is going to explore?
A. The show explores the private and family lives of army officers and army doctors, along with the challenges they face on duty. Army doctors, in particular, haven’t really been explored in the entertainment space before. They are dealing with combat situations while also working in army hospitals, which are essentially a second battleground. The show brings out both sides of their lives and the challenges that come with balancing these responsibilities.

3. How did you prepare for this role?
A. There weren’t really any challenges, but the posture and body language of an army officer matter a lot. We are used to standing casually, but army officers have been trained for years in a way that naturally reflects in their posture. So, you have to always remain upright, whether you are doing an emotional scene, a combat scene, or even a scene with other officers. Your posture has to remain consistent throughout. We also had army experts guiding us for some time, along with doctors and medical professionals on set. When we were shooting the operation theatre scenes, they were there to guide us. I had to learn how to hold and use the medical equipment correctly and also get familiar with the medical terminology used in these situations. So, you have to blindly follow the experts and not use too much of your own understanding because they have the expertise. Also, army hospitals are a second battleground. As an army doctor onscreen, I found it very interesting to play that paradox. When I go into combat, I am taking the life of the enemy, while at the same time, I am saving the lives of my own people as a doctor. This was an exciting part of the character, so I had a lot of fun playing it.

4. What do you think makes a show like 108 Base Hospital – Uri important, especially for today’s youth?
A. We’re just happy that we get to take the real heroes of life and present their stories. We hope today’s youth get inspired by them, learns more about the Indian Army and understands its importance, what these people do for our safety, the situations they go through and the sacrifices they make, even putting their lives on the line for us. I think taking their stories to everyone, especially the youth, is a patriotic effort. We are proud to be a part of it.

5. Any messages for the fans?
A. The show is an army hospital drama, but what makes it interesting is how the demands of their profession and the realities of combat impact their lives back home. I think that is the real heart of the show and what audiences will connect with the most, because at its core, it is a human and family story. It has romance, family drama, and explores how army doctors and officers juggle their professional lives along with managing their personal relationships. I hope audiences connect with these stories and the people behind the uniform. I urge everyone to watch 108 Base Hospital, only on COLORS and JioHotstar, at 8:00 PM every Saturday and Sunday. Thank you.

‘108 Base Hospital – Uri’ airs every Saturday-Sunday at 8:00 PM only on COLORS and JioHotstar.