Ajay Devgn in Action Jackson

 

What got you interested in Action Jackson?

The film has a lot of shades. And, I like the Prabhu Deva style of filmmaking. The audience has only seen the Prabhu Deva rural-style of films. This is his urban film. He really knows how to present his actors… especially his heroes. The way he’s made me perform is completely different. He is a very good actor himself, so there are nuances that he’s brought to my performance that haven’t been seen before. Like, even though this is a funny film, there is no buffoonery... it’s all about comic timing.

Through your career, you have done numerous action films. Are there side-effects to being a successful action hero?

Oh ya! I have broken many bones… my ankle... knee... hip bone. My left hand was paralysed for three months. I have broken my jaw completely…it’s all plastic surgery! (Laughs) Once in a while, different aches and pains remind you of a particular stunt gone wrong. My back and neck give me the most trouble.

Today, there are a lot more safety measures when you are doing stunts. Is it still thrilling, then?

Absolutely. I always want to test myself while doing stunts. Many actors would use a harness or a cable, but I won’t. A duplicate will show me the shot with a harness and then if I think I can, I do it without one. It’s just about pushing your own limits. You know how much your body can do and it keeps the thrill alive.

Has Kajol ever asked you not to take unnecessary risks while doing stunts?

Not recently. But she has in the past when I had broken a lot of bones. She used to complain a lot then, but touchwood, nothing’s happened in a long time (smiles).

You are claustrophobic. Has that ever affected the kind of stunts you can or can’t do?

(Pauses) I don’t think so. My biggest problem is lifts. It all started a couple of years back when a lift I was in crashed and we were trapped for about 30-45 minutes. It was very scary. I remember panicking.

Every time you have one of these masala releases, there are questions raised about why you are doing formula films…

But I am doing all kinds of films. (Pauses) Okay, maybe not recently... Singham is not a formula film. A formula film would have five great songs, lots of comedy… Singham didn’t have all that. It was an intense film. It had one action sequence and two-three chases. Now if you are talking about films like Omkara or Zakhm… I want to do films like those, but where are the scripts? If something exciting comes my way I am not going to refuse it.

You have finally zeroed in on your next directorial venture...

Yes, it’s called Shivaay. It’s still too early to talk about it. It’s a big-budget film. It’s an emotional drama with action as a backdrop.

You will be introducing Dilip Kumar’s grandniece Sayesha in Shivaay. What caught your eye?

She is fabulous. When you see her on screen, you’ll understand why I cast her. I have screen-tested her and from her look to her diction she is perfect. After a long time, I have seen a newcomer who is so ready.

Every film today is judged on the basis of its box-office performance. Do you think creativity is losing out in the bargain?

See, no one wants to lose money and making films has become very expensive. Everyone wants to do great cinema. But again, who says what is or isn’t great cinema? Having said that, I would hold the audience responsible for the kind of films that are doing well. If you make a different kind of film that people watch, you will make more of them. We are only giving what the audience wants. You can’t blame us for that. I promise to make a different, intense film if the audience promises to watch it! (Laughs)

Congratulations, your team Delhi Dreams was the runner-up in the first Champions Tennis League...

Thank you. We have a good team.

How do you explain this sudden fascination Team Bollywood has developed for sport?

(Laughs) I don’t know…. Someone must have had the great idea of connecting the two. It started with IPL and it worked. The Kabaddi League was a great thing. We should promote wrestling. The Soccer League is doing well. I don’t care about winning or losing or making money. It’s all about promoting the sport.

What is the status of Kajol’s comeback? So much has been written about the various projects...

The script is being written. We’ll start the film next year. As for the various projects, most of the stories weren’t true. There was only one project that we had considered, but I eventually thought that she didn’t fit the character.

Karishma Upadhyay