An Interview

Did you watch Dhoom, and what did you think about the film?

Offcourse I have watched Dhoom and the success of Dhoom creates a very good platform that obviously motivates a sequel, but what really propelled me into doing the film, was the inherent script of Dhoom 2 itself. So that really was my calling card. It was exactly what I was looking for at that time and space. Because I was actually quite bored and stuck at that one end of the spectrum where I was doing this blatant good boy, good son, good brother, good lover kind of role. Though offcourse they are also quite enjoyable but it was time to take the big leap towards the other end of the spectrum. And what was waiting for me there was Mr. A ? Aryan, so I am really glad that I got the opportunity.

You have never been seen in a negative light on screen and what motivated you to do this?

I don?t really see Aryan as negative, I see him on the wrong side of the law, but as subtext which is offcourse in my head and my producers and director?s mind, don?t take this too well, but Aryan seems to be a guy who has this secret mission of ridding the world of all objects of desire that instill feelings of greed, create politics and feed the ego, all these pieces of high desirable objects, like diamonds and jewellery, just displayed to the world that you can just sit and covet. According to him, these are the things that create greed and need and come in the way of true caring and being true to the people around you. It makes you lose yourself in wanting more and getting these objects for yourself. One really does not know what he does with all the things he robs in the film. So in my head, he does it because he can and because he thinks these objects of desire are something that are the cause of most of our egoistic battles and his mission is to rid the world. So I don?t really see him as a villain. And his modus operandi is very unique because he does it with such a flair that really makes him out to be someone you want to be.

Everyone?s been talking about your many disguises in the film, without giving anything away, how did it feel to get into so many disguises to con people?

The makeup experts that they brought in from London were truly, people with a magic wand. They completely transformed me into other human beings and I cannot express how much fun and how exciting it was to live and be and project another completely different human being that particular day, or days of those shoots. I had the time of my life.

You are stepping into John Abraham?s character which was extremely popular, is that a challenge?

I think every film is a challenge, though Aryan?s character does fit the space of the villain that John?s role was in Dhoom, but its got nothing to do with it whatsoever, it?s a completely different world and I would say that if we?ve gone a notch higher with Dhoom, its not satisfying enough, it needs to be 10 notches higher for it to actually make a mark, and that?s what I am hoping for.

What are the kinds of stunts you have done in the film, and how did you prepare for it?

I have done everything in this film that anyone can aspire to do in an action film, be it sand boarding, snow boarding, Sky diving, train walking, jumping off a cliff, bikes , cars everything that you can think of. So I don?t think there?s anything left, I think Dhoom has got it all. I had no idea what was waiting for me once I was preparing to get into Dhoom and what I realized was that what I had done for Krishh was nothing in comparison. It was asking a lot more of me. Yes, I have taken a few tumbles and scraped through near death experiences, but came out feeling most exhilarated and alive ever. So it?s been a great experience.

What was it like working with Aishwarya and Bipasha for the first time?

It was a pleasure to work with Aishwarya. Her talent is definitely much beyond her looks and her beauty. So it?s been inspiring, engrossing, exciting it?s been a whole lot of fun. Bipasha is just so casual to be with, you know she is just herself and she?s got no airs and is really easy to be with though I?ve got no scenes with her in the film, but I think every film u know has this one particular schedule where that becomes memorable because that?s the one in which you all bond, so the Brazil trip while we were there for over a month in Rio, we all bonded Abhishek, Aishwarya, Bipasha, Uday and I and because of a bit of problems we had a lot of time together, so it was great, just walking on the beach, swimming in the ocean, imagine, Abhishek, Aishwarya Bipasha, Uday myself in our costumes swimming in the seas of Rio with not a care in the world because nobody knew us there, was absolutely, phenomenally exhilarating, it was a whole load of fun.

What do you think of the music of Dhoom 2 and how does it compare to music of Dhoom?

As I said again, it?s definitely notches higher but how the audience takes it in is something we have to wait and see, personally I think its one of the greatest music albums in the year and it should definitely make a mark even visually its very stunning. The songs that I have done with Shiamak and Vaibhavi are both tracks that I am very proud of. I have not done many of those in my lifetime, though there is this whole myth of me being this dancing phenomena, but I have not had many dance tracks to my credit. But in this case, I have 2 and I am very happy with both of them.

You have a very different look in the film; tell us a little about it.

I really want to say one thing about the look and that is that the true hero of this film is Anaita because what she has done for this film is truly representative of the kind of film Dhoom 2 needs to be. She has brought out the best of every character, specially with Aryan what she has done is outstanding. The clothes really have helped to bring out and project those aspects of Aryan. It?s almost like he puts 2-3 things together and because its coming out of an individual space, it looks stylish. I think that?s what style is about, when you wear and put things together that makes you feel more of yourself, I think that?s what creates an individual outlook and that?s what makes you stand apart from the crowd because it?s individual and not because you are following some kind of trend or fashion verdict. So that?s what Anaita has done and I just left myself completely to her and trusted her completely and what she has done to the film is absolutely outstanding.

You have been part of a successful sequel like Krishh, why do you think it worked and why do you think Dhoom 2 will work as a sequel?

I don?t think sequels work, or films of a certain kind work, I think what works is basically good films and bad films don?t. So if Dhoom 2 is a good sequel, if it?s a good film, which I think it is and not resting on the laurels of Dhoom part 1, by itself it should be a film which should have been made even if there was no Dhoom part 1, and I think that was what worked with Krishh because, it was not resting on the success of Koi Mil Gaya. It took on from there but became a completely different world by itself, and should have been made a film by itself even if there was no Koi Mil Gaya. So this is what sequels should be about, they should not rest on laurels of the previous hit, and that is what Dhoom hopefully will do.

Last time you and Abhishek came together on screen you were friends, this time you are foes, which one is better and why?

We are always friends, Abhishek and I have grown up together and we wish the best for each other. Even working in this film with him, has definitely made me decide one thing, that once in every 2 years I definitely want to do a film with him, because working with him has been very fulfilling, as in he?s a good person and he radiates that, and I am a person who works without any egos and so is Abhishek. He gives his best when he is within a shot and he is all for the scene to work in its entirety and there is a lot of give and take. So he will think, as much for me as for himself and visa versa, so that?s something really creates a bond and you actually enjoy the process of putting the film together, which is what your life is actually made up of its those moments that you live for a year or two. How much time do you spend watching the success or the reaction to a films release, a day or two or three but what your life is actually about is the process of actually making these films, and what?s important is to enjoy those moments and I really think that working with Abhishek was one of the most fulfilling journeys of my career.

How was the experience of shooting in South Africa, do you have a message for your fans there?

I love South Africa; it?s been one of my favourite countries of the world. Also the people there I believe what makes a place beautiful is its people and that rings very true for South Africa. Whenever I went there they are very humble people and very helpful. They respect your space. I have been there on and off and always looked forward to going back to South Africa.

What according to you was the best moment during the shooting of this film?

That?s very hard to say, I don?t think its about one moment or two moments, there were so many, the point is to have a fulfilling day, everytime you come back home you should feel fulfilled and that is something that I got out of Dhoom 2 a lot of. I think its one of the most enjoyable films that I have done and have been surprised by my own attachment to this film, because it was supposed to be the joyride and something that I wanted to do for fun because I was doing all these serious cinema films, I wanted to do just something just out of the world and completely let myself out there and have some fun, but it became something that I really got attached with and really discovered depth to it and really enjoyed myself projecting Aryan?s persona.

Uday and Abhishek are childhood friends so what was it like working with them?

Since I have already spoken about Abhishek, I will talk about Uday. Uday and me go back a really really long way. We have done everything together, name it, and the last thing that I thought we would be doing together is facing the camera, so we?ve had a laugh chatting about that fact. Right from the second standard he and I have been together in every single thing that we have done, if there was something that I learnt, he has learnt and if there was something that he was learning, I joined him, whether its karate, computer classes, college, school, tuition, sports everything. So doing a film with him was just an extension of that and really had a great time, he?s a great guy and I wish the best for him. Not many people realize the talent that Uday possesses but me being an actor, that I am and with as much experience and knowledge that I have I think Uday has tremendous potential and its just waiting to come out and prove to the world. It?s already proved a lot with Dhoom, but I think it?s going to go ballistic with Dhoom 2 because he?s done an outstanding job in this film.

What according to you can the audiences look forward to in Dhoom 2?

Its like the words of the song, ?Dhoom again and come away with me on a rollercoaster ride, so strap yourselves up and get ready for the ride of your life, that?s what Dhoom is about, its to the point, its fast, its exhilarating, it?ll keep you at the edge of your seat, you will not know what has hit you, its one of those popcorn thrillers, so come one, come all, and expect the world!

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