VIDYUT JAMWAL – BRINGING PASSION AND ACTION TO BOLLYWOOD’S NEW GENERATION OF VILLAIN

By Hemisha Morarji.

Gone are the days of the larger than life Bollywood villain such as Gabbar Singh (Sholay) and Mogambo (Mr India) who became icons in their own right. A decade into the new millennium, Bollywood has re-vamped the anti-hero launching more sophisticated, suave and realistic portrayals that have turned the tables. Films such as Dhoom 2, Ra.One and Dabangg have changed the perception of the archetypal Bollywood villain as the new baddie certainly isn’t the quintessential rogue, but in most instances as important and, more interestingly, as desirable as the male lead.

Newcomer Vidyut Jamwal is the perfect example of the beautiful bad boy. The supermodel turned actor stars opposite John Abraham in high adrenalin action romance ‘Force’

The makers of the film wanted someone to match up to John’s physique in the film as the villain is as important as the lead actor. Vidyut bagged this infamous role after beating off stiff competition from over 500 people who auditioned for the role of ‘Vishnu’.

Vidyut started his training in the Indian form of Martial Arts, ‘Kalaeippayattu’ at the tender age of three, and travelled across the globe for further training. He later excelled in Gymnastics and Kung Fu and managed to develop his own style of fight by amalgamating all forms he learnt, which reflects in the fierce action sequences between John and him in the film. The eclectic combination of the fight forms also gave him the flexibility to manoeuvre thrilling hand-to-hand combat scenes which he daringly undertook without the need of a body double.

At a recent event for the film where FORCE’s villain was launched, Vidyut interestingly gathered a team of young boys from the slums of Mumbai and gave them Martial Arts training to perform with him at the event. During this event, Vidyut performed the stunts similar to those in the film, effortlessly showcasing his Martial Art skills, leaving attendees awe-struck by him.

Asianworld caught up with the breath-taking heartthrob to discuss his martial arts training, stunts and his new career in Bollywood….

For those who haven’t see Force yet, tell us about your character Vishnu.

Vishnu is the anti-hero in the film. He is a very passionate man who loves his brother.

But it’s this passion that causes him to take revenge when his business gets damaged. So, basically it’s a sub-story about a man going against the costs and not thinking about the consequences.

 You are one of the new sophisticated and suave villains to emerge in Bollywood. Do you feel your modelling experience has worked in your favour to get this part?

I don’t think modelling was the thing that worked in my favour. I feel my martial arts training were what won me the part. The film makers wanted to find someone who could match up to John Abraham in terms of strength, agility and physique. They were looking around for a long while for someone who could do action and fortunately I was in the right place at the right time. But I do feel that my modelling experience has helped me gain more confidence. I now feel secure behind and in front of the camera.

Apparently the makers had to audition 500 canditates. How did it feel to get the part?

Well, how would you feel if you got the part? It was incredible! I felt like screaming “I am the man”. I was so happy and it was a very good feeling.

You began martial arts training at the age of 3 and travelled across the globe for further training. Tell us more about that.

I was lucky because my mum brought me up in Kerela, where I started a South Indian form of fighting called ‘Kalaeippayattu’. Then I moved to Hong Kongand learned kick-boxing, tai-chi and kung fu. After that, I moved to Bollywood, where I began gymnastics and won a championship competition. I have included some of my gymnastic skills in my fighting style and my videos on Youtube have received a lot of hits.

You did a lot of your own stunts in the film. Which one was the most challenging?

All of my stunts have been challenging. Even though I have been training internationally, I still feel on the edge when I am undertaking some gruelling action scenes. There was a lot of hard work involved in the sequences between me and John.

Did you sustain any injuries?

Luckily I haven’t. I have been training for so long, that injuries never really happen to me. It’s weird because a lot of people say to me, “how do you get your six-pack’ and the honest answer is that I have been practicing since I was three. So my six-pack and lack of injuries are simply down to that.

You gathered a team of boys from the slums of Mumbai and gave them martial arts training. How did that idea come about?

I have been training with the boys for 8 years now. When I moved to Bombay, I couldn’t find people I could enjoy training with. So I went to the slums and found a group of children who were enthusiastic to learn new things and were bit of dare-devils. They all do different jobs to survive, from selling books and Indian hamburgers to working in petrol stations and hospitals. But they all come together every morning and evening to train with me and help in creating a new fighting style that combines a variety of methods. It’s incredible. When we train, we become an elite team.

Are you interested in doing any other genres outside of action, like romantic comedies or dramas?

I really would like to act in other films. One person I have admired and would love to be like is Amitabh Buchchan. He has done action, romance, comics, dramas, thrillers…everything. His talent, hard work and diversity have won him praise and his films are watched by millions, so it would be great to be where he is in the future. If I get any offers in any of those wide ranges of genres, I would love to do it and put 100% in.

Do you have a special message for the Asian World readers?

Do what you want to do. Follow your heart and work hard to achieve it. It’s not just any piece of philosophy, it’s something that I truly believe in and have followed. Never believe in boundaries because there are none.