NEW DELHI – A new Indian film Raazi is being released in which Actor VickyKaushal has played role of a Pakistani Military officer and actress asIndian spy.

He says he has tried to break away from the stereotypical portrayal ofPakistani Army officers through his performance in “Raazi”.

The 29-year-old actor, who plays Iqbal, a Pakistani military man in MeghnaGulzar’s upcoming film, says people have been “conditioned” to perceive theArmymen from the neighbouring country as “crude” and “fanatic”.

“We’ve been conditioned that way. We can’t pinpoint fingers at anyone. Butthat’s what was fun to do while playing the part. To try breaking thequintessential mould of the Army guy and the Pakistani guy.

“When we mix the two, an image always emerges – he would be crude, shrewdand a fanatic. Iqbal’s character breaks the image. That was the beauty ofthis role,” Kaushal told reporters in a group interview.

“If we are able to dilute this question of how was it to play Pakistaniman, it would be a win,” the actor added. He was in the national capital topromote the film with Gulzar and co-star Alia Bhatt.

The film also stars Rajit Kapur, Soni Razdan, Shishir Sharma, JaideepAhlawat and Amruta Khanvilkar. Based on Harinder Sikka’s novel “CallingSehmat”, “Raazi” releases this Friday.