Vidyut Jammwal: Human romance is so common, every actor is doing it!

Vidyut Jammwal became a household name for action films and his fan base grew bigger and bigger with each character he played, right since his debut film Force in 2011. The actor has been a part of the Commando series and we also saw a different side of his in Baadshaho. In the meanwhile, he also went on to become one of the best Martial artists in India, combined with great knowledge of ‎Kalaripayattu. Junglee is a film that celebrates nature and animals, and presents Vidyut in an additional avatar of animal lover. The film hit the theatres today and is getting rave reviews for Vidyut’s action. The Junglee actor sat down for a quick chat about the film, his experience and his future projects.

How excited and good do you feel about the response that the film has been getting?

People are liking it and I feel really happy about that because I have been doing the Commando series, I have been doing out-and-out action films, but Junglee is a completely different trip because it is a family-action adventure. We have catered action for the kids, so when they will watch the film, they will learn while watching it. It is a first-time watch and the second sequence is very entertaining. For people who love action and my full-on action sequences, we have that as well. So yes, I am very excited about the film.

You brought down Hollywood director Chuck Russell for the film. And Junglee has two beautiful debutantes in Pooja Sawant and Asha Bhat as well. How was the vibe on the sets with them?

With Chuck, there is great respect around him – everybody just loves him for what he has done. For me, it was rather more special because he is somebody who has launched a person like Dwayne Johnson the Rock. And when I got in touch with him, he said he was looking for an action hero all over the world. He had gone through many profiles and found me fit for the bill. It was one of the big moments because when somebody who is really important validates it, you feel very good about it, and he is obviously a brilliant guy. About the two beautiful ladies, yes I am very glad that I am a part of a film where two girls get their launch because it is very important to give breaks to new people. I got launched because someone believed in me. I have a lot of belief in them too, and they are amazing.

You have shot the film on real-life locations, and with real animals. This isn’t done a lot in films, so how did you prepare yourself for that? And tell us about the heart-stopping ‘running amongst the herd of elephants’ sequence as well.

It was very cool. Yes, you’re right. It is for the first time in a very long time that a film is shot with real animals in it. I think this happened almost 40 years back in Haathi Mere Saathi and I don’t think there will be another movie because of the way people are going around killing animals, I think elephants will become the next dinosaurs. I am very happy that we made this film.As for the running with the elephants sequence, well, that was an accident. I was supposed to run along with them but because we weren’t getting a proper shot, I decided to run between them. These are massive animals we are talking about and for a few milliseconds, I thought something would happen to me, but I came out and the shot looked absolutely good on the big screen. I enjoyed doing it but I am never doing this again!

Many a time, celebrities get associated with causes, and elephant poaching is a very serious issue. After this film, will you be taking this cause further?

I just did! I have made a movie about it. We have shot the film with only animals like elephants, snakes and other creatures. So this is my contribution to start with. Our movie is the first movie after a really long time that is dedicated to Mother Earth, where kids can watch and learn everything about animals. People think that animals are dangerous, but when you learn about  them, you will realise that they are not the scariest things, These animals are gentle and kind and our movie is all about showing this truth.

We have seen you doing action films mostly and the audiences love that. But would you explore other genres in the near future as well?

I have another action-drama movie called Power that will release after Junglee. When I meet people, they have great scripts but it has a little action too which I absolutely love, so yes, action for sure always. Having said that, if I come across a script which is a phenomenal script but has no action, I would do that as well.

But you did the Rahat Fateh Ali Khan song video with Huma Qureshi, Dillagi, and you looked exceptionally good in a romantic setting. So maybe a romantic film next?

This film does have romance, with elephants! (laughs) Human romance is so common, every other actor is doing it. But yes, very soon. Power is all about that.

Junglee is being compared to the Thai series Ong Bak. Have you taken any inspiration from the series as well?

There is zero similarity between the two. The only link is that both, the film, and the series has action and elephants. It is like saying “Have you copied Haathi Mere Saathi?” just because the two films have elephants. No, not at all.

You’ve been spotted exercising with some kids in Versova. Are you training them in Martial Arts?

I teach them all the time. When I am training, many kids come along and I teach them. I am open to teaching anyone who is willing to learn and has any talent in any form. If I see talent, I make sure I give them an opportunity. When you watch Junglee, when you watch Commando, when you watch Baadshaho, every person performing an action scene who is not from the industry, is picked up. I am a product of this and I will keep bringing in talent to the industry till I can.