Jackie Chan starrer has Mangaluru connection
Pearl D'Souza
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru (PMD)
Mangaluru, Jan 30: While the whole nation eagerly awaits the Jackie Chan-starred Indo-sino collaboration 'Kung Fu Yoga', co-star Sonu Sood, who came off as a young, dashing and very humble person, makes a quick appearance in Mangaluru, on Sunday, January 29. The pleasant but brief trip was made to visit Sood's ‘second-home’ and the hometown of his beloved friends, Lawrence Paul and Abhishek Rao, who have contributed in equal measure in the making of this film. It is indeed an exciting time for Mangalureans, as this is the first time a Hollywood movie is being promoted in the city, furthermore, our coastalites are making it big in B-town, yet again.
Lawrence Paul, an NRI entrepreneur from Mangaluru, is based in Dubai and has presented and distributed the movie, Kung-fu Yoga, in the country along with Sood's 'Shakti Sagar Production' . Young and quiet Abhishek Rao has co-started ‘Shakti Sagar Productions’ with actor-producer Sonu Sood and caused excitement when Sood confessed that Abhi had played a role in the movie, and was recommended by the legend Jackie Chan himself for it. When asked about his reasons for producing the film in India, Lawrence said it was because of Sonu Sood and the legendary Jackie Chan, a combination of both marvels. When enquiring with Abhishek Rao on his path ahead in Bollywood after this debut, Abhishek politely denies any possibility of being seen on the big screen and is thrilled to continue co-producing films with Sood under 'Sagar Shakthi Productions' , which emerged last year.
In an exclusive interview with Sonu Sood, Daijiworld glimpses over the making of the movie, the life of the actor himself and his connection with the coast.
The action-adventure comedy, Kungfu Yoga, is all set for release on Friday, February 3, in India. It will be released under the banner, 'Shakti Sagar Productions', in association with Lawrence Paul. The film is sure to grip the audience with startling stunts by the legendary martial artiste, Jackie Chan, at outstanding locations in China, through Dubai, India and Iceland. The movie casts Bollywood beauties, Amyra Dastur and Disha Patani, in important roles. This is one of the three movies contained in Prime Minister Modi’s agreement at India-China Business Forum to strengthen the Indo-Chinese collaboration. This is the second of the three collaborations agreed upon at the forum. The first, is the mandarin movie Xuanzang, which also stars Sood and is China’s first official entry into the Oscars.
Sood is now all excited to release the Indo-Chinese collaboration here in his country. The film has been already released in China and is much awaited for release here.
Sonu’s role Chhedi Singh in Dabangg won him wide fame and an IIFA award for the best villain. But there are lesser known facts about the fitness guru Sood, that go missed –
1. Hardworking and superbly multilingual, Sood is also seen in a Kannada movie. He has acted in many South Indian films. And is quite a sensation in the Telugu and Tamil film industry.
2. A very good orator, Sonu completed his graduation in Engineering before taking up acting as his career.
3. Sonu has also written his own dialogues in a few of his movies ,and done a fabulous job at that.
4. Both Sonu and his wife Shonali come from a family of academicians and business-oriented persons, making Sonu a first generation actor himself. Despite a struggle at the entry level, Sonu has tasted success in the most of his movies. Sonu’s family remains his inspiration.
5. Sonu will play a role in a Telugu Comedy in the near future.
6. The popular Dabangg and Happy New Year actor, who has cast with the big shots of Bollywood, when asked of his keenness towards coastal wood, nodded his approval with a happy affirmative.
The Interview:
Why Mangaluru Sonu?
Mangaluru is like a second home to me, although I am from Punjab. I have friends here who I visit. This is my third trip to the city, and I love the coast. One should not forget their roots. It is refreshing for everyone to come back to their roots, every once in a while when moving along one’s career path. It’s a great way to get energised. My friends Abby (Abhishek Rao) and Lawrence Paul have their roots here. And I said it was a brilliant idea to promote the movie here in Mangaluru. Mangaluru is a big city indeed and people here are marvellous and extremely talented. Abhi, who is a Mangalurean himself has also acted in this movie, that too on the recommendation of Jackie Chan, and has done a brilliant job at that. Lawrence has been a great support through, and has achieved great heights with his production-house, playing host to Jackie chan in the recent past through the promo of the movie. I now look forward to bringing more movies here to the city.
How far have you ventured in Mangaluru?
I have visited the beaches. They’re a beauty. I have also heard, tender coconut water is a common drink here, and I look forward to enjoying a refreshing chug.
We’ve heard a lot about your enthusiasm for fitness what’s been your limit?
The day comprises of 21 hours for me, the other three hours I believe, are strictly for work out. One can always make time for workout in a day, not matter how busy your schedule gets. You just have to be determined and stick to it. So, it’s three hours of uncompromisable workout routine every day.
You’re an engineer turned actor, how would you look back at the transition which would seem quite foolhardy to some?
Education is very imperative. Even if I were to suggest someone take acting as a career path, I’d first advise them to do it after completing their education. Education takes you a long way in the industry too. As an engineer myself it has helped me to a great extent. That said, when it comes to following your passion, there are no two ways about it. My mother told me to pursue acting, only if I was ready to put in my best, and nothing less. That, has been the mantra guiding me through the good and not so good times in the industry. My wife has been my pillar of support throughout. A superb person, she has helped me realise my dream of being an actor. I owe my success to both these strong women in my life.
How did your family react to the sudden transition?
The support I received from my mum and my wife Shonali, is the reason I am here, doing this interview with you today as an actor. Support is crucial especially in this field. And more so when you’ve been a new entrant to the industry.
Would you let your sons join the industry?
If that’s what they want to, then, sure. Why not. But education still comes first. They have to complete their studies and then choose the career they want to pursue.
Tell us a bit about the movie, you role and your experience with JC
Kung Fu Yoga, is more of a treasure hunt involving India and China. My character in the movie is Randall, the Indian counterpart to the Chinese explorer who is looking for the treasure trove in the country. The movie contains a number of action sequences, which quite unlike most Bollywood scenes and have a certain pattern. They involve swift movements but with a beautiful rhythm. Jackie was the one who taught us martial arts, MMA and Kung Fu. At times when there was no shooting, with him, there was definitely something to learn even backstage.
Jackie, a very humble person fed the cast and crew fruits or sweets, every so often. Everyone partook in these memorable times including the light boy and makeup artists. He and I travelled to Singapore, Malaysia and Beijing throughout the shoot of the movie, and every successive shoot was an even more delightful experience. It was a wonderful exchange of cultures across the cinematic terrain. This cultural give-and-take made it possible for the martial artist to shake a leg to upbeat Bollywood dance sequence. It’s a beautiful blend. It is a family movie, a complete comedy with action and adventure.
Who has the most interesting costume in the film?
We had quite a range of elaborate costumes in the movie. But Jackie stole the show with this dance number in a dhoti. He said he was very comfortable with Indian clothing, even from the song ‘goosebumps’ , and was charmed by the ornate and rich Jodhpur costumes in the movie.
What can Indian cinema and South Indian cinema in particular learn from the collaboration?
Indian cinema is developing and has great potential, as technology is being introduced in making movies. I have acted in Tamil, Telugu movies and a Kannada movie, and will work on a Telugu comedy after this. But I have not yet done a movie in the regional language here. This movie in itself shows a great deal of cultural integration and I am thrilled to see the excitement among the audience here. This gives me the motivation to come back to the coast with more movies. I have heard about the regional movies here, and took a brief look at some, although I was have been unable to watch them entirely. And yes, I also do look forward to working in Coastalwood someday.
The movie will be out in four different languages English, Hindi, Telugu and Tamil. While we encourage Sonu to try out some Tender coconut water in the city, it is a good time to help ourselves to a multi-cultural break as the warm winds make their way through the coast.