IN LINE OF ACTION

Manpriya Singh 

There are a couple of images actor Vidyut Jammwal immediately conjures up, starting with his successful innings in Bollywood, all thanks to the Commando series, and with that his niche fan following, and of course the martial arts and daredevil action stunts.  For someone, who is ranked sixth among the top 10 martial artistes in the world, he is definitely India’s answer to Bruce Lee. But will action always find its way in his films. Like always? 

“I am thinking what would Bruce Lee say to that,” he pauses and with that almost answers the question for us. In Chandigarh in context of his martial arts initiative and a drive from Delhi to Chandigarh, he settles down for a volley of questions. From his next film to his diet regime to Punjabi music. He carries the conversation forward.

Junglee is his next, scheduled for an early April release, a film which he hopes, “will be the game-changer, especially when it comes to his image onscreen and will connect with kids and women alike.” 

A family film is what he claims it will be, though the promising trailer does feature a fair share of action. “It’s as a kid what I would have wanted to watch.” Speaking of which, he mentions Jackie Chan. “All of his films are my favourite.” Closer home, “Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn it is.” 

It’s been a little less than a decade since he made his celluloid debut, does he feel  things would have been different, had he come from the inner circles of Bollywood. There is no mincing words when it comes to nepotism. “Of course it exists, my grandfather is from the Army and so was his father and so is my father. So it’s there.” 

But having said that, to make a mark in Bollywood is a feat. A similar conversation he was having with his mother the other day. “To survive for a year in Mumbai is a feat, let alone in B-town. And to survive in Bollywood for two years is really something.” 

Breaking the myths 

What we do not, however, associate him with is the guy who admits to not doing a 4 am guy when it comes to workout, listening to his body even if that means starting his day with something full of calories and sugar. “One must listen to one’s body. The body knows  the best.” 

On Chandigarh 

Talk Punjabi music and he can truly carry the conversation forward.  Singer Amrit Maan and his song Difference it is on his playlist right now and also, The Thug Life.  By the way, “I am fluent in Punjabi.” But he won’t speak for, “he is too shy.” For someone who did his schooling from Dagshai, he is truly well versed with the city. We used to visit this place called Hot Millions. Is it still around?” Yes Vidyut very much. 

Girls, he is single! 

While admitting to be clearly single, he feels he is too old to have crushes.  He smiles, “I don’t have a type, or checkboxes like she has to be very tall or very fair or anything like that…”  But we guess, he’ll know when she is the one.  Meanwhile, he won’t shy away from showing you a still from a video featuring singer Bebe Rexha. Wait, a platinum blonde?  He laughs, “I just like the way she’s dressed here.”