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Renowned for her portrayal of Yesu Vahini in the cinematic gem ‘Swatantrya Veer Savarkar,’ actress Tirrtha has captivated audiences with her profound depiction of this pivotal character. She shared how she faced challenges in portraying this role and how she prepared for it.
Discussing how she landed the role of Yesu Vahini and the strengths she brought to the character that helped her clinch it, she says,
“The character of Yesu Vahini required a deeper sense of motherliness due to Savarkar’s early loss of parents, with Yesu Vahini taking responsibility for him since he was young. Despite being only 3-4 years older, she became like a mother to him. As an actor, portraying this role was challenging as I lacked reference for the character. During the audition, they were drawn to the softness in my eyes. Randeep, the director, particularly noticed my kind eyes and continued to assess if I fit the character even after I was cast. He emphasized that my eyes exuded kindness, which was crucial for the role. In enacting the character, I had to soften my eyes to reflect the innocence of women from that era. Despite coming from a modern background, I successfully conveyed the innocence required for the character during the audition, which led to my casting.”
When questioned about her character Yesu Vahini and its significance in the context of the film Veer Savarkar, she remarks,
“Yesu Vahini’s character holds great historical significance, mostly learned from my grandmother and through Maharashtrian oral tradition. Besides caring for Veer Savarkar from a young age, she actively participated in the freedom struggle while managing the household. For most of her life, Veer Savarkar and Baba Rao were absent, either abroad or in prison, leaving the women vulnerable to government atrocities. Veer Savarkar’s poem for Yesu Vahini highlights their special bond, but upon the news of their imminent return, she fell seriously ill and passed away, never witnessing their care for home. It’s a poignant yet powerful story.”
When inquired about how she prepared for such a significant role in a historical drama and what hurdles she encountered along the way, she states,
“Preparing for this film posed challenges as the character had already been lived by someone, with a significant historical legacy. Despite the lack of footage, numerous tales and stories evoke empathy. Observing people’s reactions provided valuable insights. A poignant moment was when my yoga guru became emotional upon learning about my role. Delving into the text revealed the sacrifices she made for her country. The film portrays a family’s sacrifices, including Yesu Vahini’s relationship with her husband, Baba Rao. Despite limited screen time, a scene symbolizing their longing for a child was particularly meaningful.”z
