Pics: Joshwa D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Nov 29: Bollywood actor Sonu Sood made his maiden visit to the city on Sunday November 29 and said that if he ever wanted to have a home away from Mumbai, he would choose Mangaluru.
Addressing reporters at Hotel Oceal Pearl here, the bollywood heartthrob spoke highly of Mangaluru and said, "I am coming to Mangaluru for the first time. I had heard that the people of Mangaluru are intelligent and educated and that it is full of greenery. The moment I landed here, I realized that what I had heard was so true. This is a place I want to come to with my family.
"Mangaluru is a holiday destination. I am thoroughly convinced that if I want a home away from Mumbai, it would be in Mangaluru. My family complains that I do not take them anywhere much. But this is a place where I can bring my family and stay for four-five days," he said.
"I started my career from South India with a Tamil movie. I have done one Kannada with Vishnuvardhan and some Tamil and Telegu movies. I do not know southern India languages but people supported me, loved me and taught me. I have full respect for these languages," he added.
Speaking about his Hollywood movie with Jackie Chan, he said, "Presently I am shooting for a movie called 'Kungfu Yoga' with Jackie Chan, who is also its producer. The shooting will completeby April or May next year. Jackie Chan is very keen on promoting the movie in India. It is presently being shot in Jaipur and Jodhpur."
On a lighter note, he added, "I will convince Jackie Chan to promote the movie in Mangaluru too."
He further said, "I have grown up watching Jackie Chan's movies. He is the finest director and human being. He is the top mixed marital arts trainer. I am working with great technicians who know everything in the field. This is going to be the costliest prouction of Hollywood and as an Indian I feel really proud of it. Once the movie is out, I will make all Indians proud."
When a reporter asked him to comment on the intolerance debate in the country, he said, "This has become a common question asked across the globe. There are so many times when we talk generally about our feelings towards the country and certain situations - you say things you actually do not mean and those things are highlighted in the media and the social media and it gets out of hand. We are educated, respectable citizens who are proud of this country, and I urge the media as well as my colleagues to take this very seriously. We should just chill and enjoy life and not focus on the word 'intolerance'. Sitting in front of the media we are told to say a few things, so we have to choose our words carefully."