It has been 12 years since your debut film and you have gone on record to say that Singham again feels like a new beginning. What does that mean to you?
You know right people have started to call it 2.0 so then it makes me realize you know when people look at you and say it’s a comeback or 2.0 or a new beginning, then it makes you introspect and think about it. I never thought about that when I was making a movie. But you know that there is love in people cheering you on from the sidelines. He wants the film to be a success. They want you to be successful and appreciated and it seems like a new phase in your life because it relates to the audience. I was still doing my job but it didn’t suit the audience at the time. Mainly because I started my career with great love and reaction for my films. It feels like the connection that started has returned. So I guess it’s a new connection or reconnect. This is also a new phase in my life.
Why do you think this is a new phase? What has changed?
You know what I mean after 12 years you don’t pursue the same things you did as a kid. I think this is an unforgiving profession where some times the risk does not pan out and the consequences are there for all to see. So I guess in a sense it’s a new phase for me where I want to take more risks, I want to have more fun, I want to play different characters. And Danger Lanka that respects that way, validates the fact that you have to take a chance. You can fail but if you succeed then there is great love.
What were your thoughts before saying yes to a character like Danger Lanka?
I mean it came to me at a time where maybe I needed to break the monotony and maybe just do something unique. So I know the audience likes this, but still to take risks and play out-and-out bad guys, who call it, antagonists or unhinged negative forces. I just feel it’s time. If I don’t do it now I won’t be able to do it. Also, I always believe that you have to follow your instincts and impulses and when I heard the role, it felt like even though I appeared for 30 minutes, people only talked about my character. So, I know that the character is important and important. And the way Mr. Rohit envisioned it, gave me the confidence and passion to do it. So I think I took the opportunity because the director had this vision for me. He believed in me even though he could have chosen someone else. He chose me because he had a certain vision and a certain thought process of how to present it to me. So, I went with Rohit Shetty’s trust and sometimes you need other people’s trust. So I always wanted to play an antagonist, I think now there is no better film than the one I have chosen. I just went and followed my heart because I wanted to work with Rohit Shetty for a long time. I wanted to be part of his world. I’m just called Singham, it’s a world I’ve enjoyed. So the viewer in me is very excited about this movie. I also know that the people who come to watch the movie, maybe not only come to see me. And if they come to watch Suryavanshi, Simmba, Singham and they leave with a bit of Danger Lanka, I would be happy. He went with a little bit of Danger Lanka, so I like it better.
So the prep, of course, has to be very clear about the fact that I don’t want to be the villain, I don’t want to make a fool out of character. And Mr. Rohit is also very clear that he wants calm in the chaos he has created. He is honestand justifies his beliefs. I play Danger Lanka as hero. I don’t play him as a victim of circumstances. I play him as a revenge seeker.
For the first time in a long time, maybe when the movie was released, I didn’t think about the consequences of the movie. I just… I was hoping that in all this, as I said, people will come and watch this movie. I hope they like what I’ve done and they respect what I’ve done. It’s just a thought in my mind, which I hope to see the reaction. Also, you get a little numb, you know, when you make a big movie. You just become a little numb because there’s not a lot of marketing you can do.
You know, the movie itself is a giant. So you’re a little numb.
After the release, there was a lot of buzz about your character. How does it feel to be part of the second biggest hit of 2024?
I’m really keen to get out and come out with comedy soon hopefully. Because that’s what I want but I don’t think it’s enough.
Are you also open to doing it on OTT?
This year, I’m not on vacation. So, I’m really looking forward to finding out about the New Year holidays. That I was safe with my family. Hopefully, we will find a place to go. We always agree to disagree. There are various options. Time is running out. We had to find a place to go, get plane tickets and hotel reservations. It’s fun to be able to enjoy your success with friends and family. I’m really looking forward to the end of the year holidays. Which I think is deserved.
