Actor Gurfateh Pirzada, who portrays freedom fighter Bagha Jatin in the recently released streaming series 'The Revolutionaries', has revealed that despite rigorous training in Kalaripayattu and Lathi, the majority of that physical preparation is not visible on screen. The disclosure offers a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes effort that goes into building a period drama character.

The Physical Transformation

Pirzada described the physical overhaul as his very first priority upon joining the project. 'So, I think for me, the first thing was to get the physicality of Baga Jatin right. I was in a very different space in life before I came on this project. So, the first thing was to get the right kind of body, the physical training that it required and also to gain those 10-15 kgs,' he said during the show's promotional events in Mumbai.

He was joined at the promotions by director Nikkhil Advani and co-stars Rohit Saraf, Pratibha Ranta, and Bhuvan Bam. Pirzada noted that all three male leads — himself, Saraf, and Bam — trained extensively in Kalaripayattu, the ancient Kerala-origin martial art, as well as Lathi, a traditional Indian stick-fighting form. 'Me, Rohit, Bhuvan we were all training a lot in Kalaripayattu and Lathi, which most of it you will not see in the show, but it's just to get the physicality right and to get an in on the world,' he explained.

Understanding the Character's Psyche

Beyond the physical demands, Pirzada emphasised that internalising Bagha Jatin's mindset was equally crucial. His first day on set came notably late — around the 25th day of the overall shoot — because the production had begun with scenes set in Banaras. He used that waiting period to immerse himself in the script and the historical world of the show.

'After the physicality, I think it was understanding the psyche, which I feel automatically came on... By the time I got into it, the world of the show had sort of seeped in my head already because I was sitting at home, reading, reading the script again and again,' he said. He also credited director Nikkhil Advani's guidance as instrumental. 'Nikkhil sir also guided me very well just as he did with Rohit and Bhuvan,' Pirzada added. 'Once I understood the psyche of Bagha Jatin, everything else became easier.'

About 'The Revolutionaries'

'The Revolutionaries' is a streaming drama chronicling the lives of Indian independence fighters. The series features an ensemble cast and is helmed by Nikkhil Advani, known for period and patriotic narratives. Bagha Jatin — formally Jatindranath Mukherjee — was a Bengali revolutionary who played a pivotal role in the armed resistance against British colonial rule in the early 20th century.

What This Reveals About Period Drama Craft

Pirzada's candid admission underscores a lesser-discussed aspect of period filmmaking: extensive off-screen preparation that audiences may never see but that actors argue is essential for on-screen authenticity. The physical and psychological groundwork, invisible in the final cut, often forms the invisible architecture of a convincing portrayal. With 'The Revolutionaries' now streaming, audience and critic response to the cast's performances will be a key indicator of whether that unseen effort translated on screen.