Congratulations on winning the many awards and accolades for The Fighter. What made you produce the film besides choosing to play the fighter?

It was the story of Micky Ward. His hardships in life and his ability to get over his adversities and emerge as a hero was what inspired me to take up the role and produce the film. Besides, I know Micky very well since long; I used to stay just 30 minutes away from his house and have seen his life unfold very closely.

You joined the production back in 2005 and the film got made only last year. In the long, arduous journey, did you feel like giving up at any point of time?

Such thoughts often made their way to my mind, but they were never there to stay.

Do you think it was a blessing in disguise that Martin Scorsese and Darren Aronofsky, who were both offered to direct The Fighter, didn’t make the film because they had done similar movies before?

No, I would rather say that David . Russell has managed it extremely well and after seeing the final product, I don’t think anyone could have it made as good as he has made it.

There have been such landmark boxing films in the past. Were you conscious of the Raging Bulls and Rockys when you started filming The Fighter?

Not really, I have known Micky Ward since long and have observed his life very closely. When we decided that we will make a film based on his life, I knew exactly that it’s not going to be a Raging Bull or a Rocky. In the film, boxing is just the backdrop, it’s about a family and their triumph over their difficulties.

What was a bigger challenge? You doing your own boxing scenes or getting back the Boston accent?

Hahaha… well, actually both, but the bigger challenge was doing my own boxing scenes…. I had to train myself for almost one-and-a-half years to look and fight like a professional fighter. Micky and (his half-brother) Dicky (Eklund) moved in to my house and we set up a boxing ring in my backyard, where Christian (Bale) and I used to practise with Micky and Dicky. I had scenes where I had to take on Alfonso Sanchez, who was number 2 middleweight in the world when we shot the movie. So that was quite a challenge.

You have said in interviews that Micky’s life in many ways mirrors your own. How much of yourself did you bring to the part and therefore make those changes in the character?

Yes, as I said, I know Micky since long... I used to stay just 30 minutes away from his house... we both are one of the nine kids and our fathers also knew each other very well. I have brought a lot of myself in the film but it’s more Micky and his story.

You haven’t won as many acting nominations as the film has won. Does that make you more proud that you never saw the film as just an acting vehicle for you?

Yes, the film is always more important than an individual character. If the film is good, then people will obviously like the character in turn. I never look at films as an acting vehicle... it’s always about making a good film and entertaining the audience.

Any thoughts on the Oscars with The Fighter bagging as many as seven nominations?

Fingers are crossed, let’s hope for the best. We are confident about our film but we don’t want to cross the thin line between confidence and over-confidence.