Mumbai/Bhubaneswar: The ‘Commando’ franchise has returned with a web series headlined by a newcomer from Odisha, Prem Parija.
The series has been released 10 years after ‘Commando’ hit theatres with Vidyut Jammwal.
Ahead of the release of the series, filmmaker Vipul Amrutlal Shah and debutant Prem visited the National War Memorial in the national capital to pay homage to real-life commandos on August 11. A day later, the assistant director-turned-actor was in his hometown Bhubaneswar to promote the high-octane action drama.
“The Commando web series has started streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. We have back-to-back promotional events. It’s a feeling of nostalgia to be back in my hometown. Wherever I am going, I am getting a warm reception. I hope that it will be replicated in Odisha too,” said the actor.
The actor also visited Jagannath Temple in Puri to pay obeisance to the siblings deities. “I had never thought I would get a break in Bollywood with this huge series. This was possible only because of Lord Jagannath’s blessings. 11000 had auditioned for the role and when I read this, I thought I don’t have a chance. Vipul sir later told me that he had decided on me on the first day,” he said.
He said that there are loads of action in the two-and-half-hour series and hoped that people in Odisha would also enjoy it.
In the web series, Prem shares screen space with Adah Sharma, Vaibhav Tatwawadi, Shreya Singh Chaudhry, Amit Tigmanshu Dhulia, Sial, Mukesh Chhabra and Ishteyak Khan in pivotal roles.
Talking about his experience of working with Adah, he said, “It feels like she is my childhood friend. She is extremely funny. It did not feel like I have worked with her for the first time.”
On replacing Vidyut in the franchise, he said: “His name is synonymous withe the brand and it is because of him that the brand has become so big that people are excited to see me who this newcomer is.”
The upcoming series is a tale of valour, patriotism, high-octane action and the journey of the titular character. Torn between a nefarious plan and a bio-war, Commando Prem devises an extraction mission to protect his nation and his brother Commando.
Born and brought up in Bhubaneswar, Prem did his schooling from St Joseph’s Convent and moved to Delhi for his higher studies. He did his 12th from DPS RK Puram and graduated from Hansraj College under Delhi University, where he also did theatres. He had moved to Mumbai 10 years ago.
He had earlier worked as assistant director in Batla House (2019), Sense8 (2015) and Satyameva Jayate 2 (2021).
