Known for his commanding screen presence and intensity, popular actor Shaalien Malhotra is all set to make a special appearance in Colors TV’s military-medical drama 108 Base Hospital – Uri, which stars Gashmeer Mahajani, Erica Fernandes, and Nikkhil Khurana in lead roles. Having previously headlined iconic shows and created a niche with his powerful performances—most notably as the stern, action-driven ACP Arjun Rawte in Arjun—Shaalien’s return to the small screen in uniform marks a major highlight for his fans. Interestingly, this project also marks his first-ever cameo appearance in a television career spanning over a decade, during which he recently expanded his creative horizons as a writer and director.
Playing a military or police officer often comes with the risk of typecasting, but for Shaalien, stepping back into uniform is an honour rather than a repetitive choice. “It is a matter of pride whenever someone calls you for a role that requires a level of maturity, intensity, and gravitas. I often joke that it is the most non-creative casting to call me for an army officer’s role,” Shaalien joked. “But I think it is a matter of pride to carry that uniform on your shoulders and look convincing. Not many can do it. If I can do it, I am proud of it. If I have pulled it off well, I am happy.”
In 108 Base Hospital – Uri, produced by Epic Company, Shaalien steps into the role of Teghbir Singh, a fearless army officer who operates with sharp intellect and unmatched discipline. Unlike typical background characters, Teghbir is built as an indispensable, high-stakes operative within the regiment who places his commitment to the nation above all else. Detailing his approach to making a lasting impact in a limited screen duration and shedding light on his role, Shaalien explained, “The character is patriotic; he places the nation above family, duty above everything and personal choices. Very intelligent, sharp—one of the very few guys who is trained to do anything and everything on the face of the earth. When there is a problem, he is the go-to person.”
For Indian television audiences, Shaalien’s portrayal of ACP Arjun Rawte remains a benchmark for hero-centric officer archetypes. Naturally, drawing comparisons between Arjun and Teghbir is inevitable, but Shaalien emphasises that the two characters stem from completely different emotional worlds. While Arjun was defined by a dark, grief-driven past, Teghbir represents raw discipline and patriotism. Reflecting on his breakout role and how it differs from his current stint, Shaalien shared, “Arjun will always be very close to me. That is one show which gave me a breakthrough heroic personality. I got to be a hero and not just a television lead. You don’t see such shows now; it was a show of a man, in the name of the man. The show required intensity and maturity—it was a dream come true role for me. Arjun was way ahead of his time. If Arjun had come out now, it would have been a bigger hit. I am very sure of it; nothing pompous about it.”
He added, “Arjun’s character is very different from what I am playing here. Arjun had a past; he had a story, which was the underlying story of the show. The changes in his life had made him what he was. He was a very nuanced, layered personality and one of the best characters made for a man on TV.”
Whoever wants to watch me will love to see me in the uniform once again. This is my first-ever cameo, and I made the right choice by accepting it.
Sharing screen space with the show’s leads, Shaalien revealed that a majority of his scenes are alongside Gashmeer Mahajani. Despite it being their first time working together, he praised the professional chemistry and seamless camaraderie on set. “I have my max scenes with Gashmeer. They are brilliant people, very thorough professionals. Did not feel like I was meeting them for the first time. It was interesting to see how they switch on and off and maintain the good camaraderie that they share.”
Taking up a special appearance is an unconventional step for an actor accustomed to leading daily dramas, but Shaalien views this cameo as a deliberate, well-considered decision aimed at delivering real, impactful moments to his audience.
When asked about what fans can expect and what lies ahead in his career, Shaalien opened up, saying, “Whoever wants to watch me will love to see me in the uniform once again. I am coming back on screen—that is all that they will expect from this cameo. This is my first-ever cameo, and I made the right choice by accepting it. The experience is different when you do a cameo. Having said that, I try to bring reality on screen as much as I can in every role I do.”
Speaking on his long-term plans, he concluded, “Everyone makes long-term plans. I always want to act; that’s what I know. I don’t know what I will take next. I am a producer; I make ads. I have just had my directorial debut, which came out—Seven and a Half Dates—as a writer as well. I love being in my own zone: writing, directing, producing, and more than anything else, acting. I am dying to be back on screen; that’s a very good space to be in.”
