India, Jan. 25 -- For Sidhant Gupta, the meaning of Republic Day changed after he played independent India's first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in Freedom At Midnight. Sidhant Gupta admits that the role gave him a new perspective and instilled a new sense of pride in him for the country.

Ask him to recall his memories of celebrating Republic Day growing up and pat comes the reply: "I remember the march past in school and that used to be the most boring thing. We were like this mischievous bunch of three-four kids and all eyes used to be on us, and our teacher used to be there with a danda. While the band was beating the drum, he was beating our backs. There used to be drills and rehearsals for three to four days before Republi...