I've heard Deepika calls herself the female version of Akshay Kumar: Akshay

I've heard Deepika calls herself the female version of Akshay Kumar: Akshay
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 14:38 IST
By Santa Banta News Network
CC2C is a film based on your real life story. How true were you then to the film?
As true as I am with any character I have to play, I happened to love this character immensely. It enabled me to be the man I have wanted to be on screen for a long time now, a funny action hero.

What more could I want, it's totally my kind of film... However, the only similarity between my life and this film is the fact that I was born in Chandni Chowk, like my character is also born there, and has to cook just like I had to learn to cook when I was working as a chef in Bangkok.

I am playing a halwai in the film. If there's anything anyone likes about me at all, I recommend this movie to the whole family, it is me in my element and I would love to share it with you.

This is the first Kung Fu comedy to hit Bollywood since its inception. Are you happy that cross country talents are merging to give us even more entertainment?
Yes definitely. I have always believed that Bollywood has been evolving. With people being more accepting and culturally aware there has been a great demand for global Indian cinema. Cultures have been merging.

There has been a great influence of the western culture in India and of the Indian culture in the west. People are coming together so why not cinema?

After all, people are spending their hard earned money to watch a good film and if we can provide this through the merging of cultural talent then why not?

How did Deepika adapt to such an action packed film where you will steal most of the show?
Oh I haven't stolen the show, trust me. Deepika has quite a few stunts that she has done as well in the film. Apparently, I have heard that she calls herself the female version of Akshay Kumar. So I guess I'm the one that should be worried (laughs)

We know you are a master when it comes to action. How difficult was this action compared to all your other action films you've done?
It was a lot more painful, and a lot more advanced than any martial arts I've performed in my previous movies. The stunt team was incredible. I'm so happy to have relived my black belt days.

It's a movie I wish I could do over and over again, if only it didn't hurt so much. I loved the style, no one has seen it in Bollywood before. Let's hope it was all worth it at the end of the day.

Did you have to learn Chinese as a language
No not at all. That was the whole point. I'm a true Chandni Chowk boy through and through and that's half my adventure. The fact is that I'm so innocent that I'm not aware of what's going on around me. Though I couldn't resist to learn a few words, just for jokes on the sets really... not to be repeated on paper though sorry guys!

Nikhil Advani's Salaam-E-Ishq was a complete disaster. What made you work with Nikhil then? Was it Nikhil's Kal Ho Naa Ho or Rohan Sippy productions?
That's a bit harsh, it wasn't a disaster. Anyway, how can I judge Nikhil saab for his flops when I have way more flops to my name then he'll ever have.

Nikhil is by far one of the best commercial directors I have ever come across, to the point where I can't wait to work with him again, as well as Rohan Sippy. It's not about reputation with me. If you hadn't noticed I work with many new directors.

It's not about the name with me, it never has been, and it's about the passion. Show me your passion for your work and I'm anybody's. And right now no one has shown me as much passion as Nikhil Advani saab.

We know you are a good cook. Please tell us what's the yummiest food you can cook for us?
Honestly, if you want to live I wouldn't recommend you eat any of my food (laughs). Ok, I'm not that bad, but I've been pampered too much now that I've forgotten my secrets. Give me a day in the kitchen and I'll rustle you up some delicious Punjabi food.

How was it to work with one of Bollywood's finest talent Ranvir Shorey?
Do you know what, I truly think he is one of the finest actors I have ever come across and of course, we got on like a house on fire. Such a funny guy and damn good at what he does, I love sharing the screen with him.

Which is your favourite track from the film and why?
Ouch... Sorry too hard a question. I love 'Sidhu' coz it's just me through out in the film, I love the romantic song purely coz it's just beautiful. Soundtrack is addictive, the training song hits home a lot, it just helped me get through the hard parts during the shooting and the video song means so much to me for it's my life story written by an admirer and good friend. So yeah hard to say really.

Brief us about your experience of shooting at the Great Wall of China.
Ah! Words can't describe how amazing it was to shoot there, one of the best experiences of my life and what an honour. Even Mission Impossible didn't get permission to shoot there.

One of my best shots of my whole career was on that wall. It was unforgettable. What more can I say? Come see me in my element. You'll see so much of the real me on that Wall in the movie.

So far in your career you've given escapist performances. Any idea when are we going to see you in some serious roles?
Well to be honest, I would not completely agree with you. I think I had a very serious and interesting character to play in the film Sangharsh.

I have Nagesh Kukunoor's Eight By Ten coming up this year which is a supernatural thriller. So there's no room there for escapist cinema.

I will also be playing a true life character in the film Komagata Maru which is an epic film based on a true story surrounding the voyage of the ship 'Komagata Maru' from India to Vancouver in the early part of the last century with 376 passengers on board seeking a new life in the promised land.

It is a film of high level government intrigue, duplicity, racism, spying, military engagements, court battles, sedition, and assassination. Is that serious enough for you?

Did you ever wish Jackie Chan was in CC2C?
That thought never crossed my mind actually. I was so overwhelmed with the cast and crew we had that those additions didn't enter my mind. Gordon Liu was enough for me in one movie. These guys are legends. I was honoured by the people involved in this film that's all I want to say really.
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