Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 22, 2018)

Tiger Shroff and Disha Patani are busy with a lovey-dovey photoshoot at Sajid Nadiadwala’s Mumbai office on a sweltering Wednesday afternoon. The actor looks suave in a suit while Disha sizzles in a gown. Tiger puts his hand around her waist and she laughingly says it might be more prudent if he leaned his hand against the wall. It’s evident how comfortable they are with each other as they strike romantic poses together and that prompts the first question:

Buzz is, Disha landed the Baaghi sequel on your recommendation?
No, I didn’t recommend Disha. Sajid Nadiadwala sir (producer) is the one putting his money into the film, so he decides on the casting.

But you are often spotted hanging out together and she’s been your steady date for a while now.
Yes, our relationship has been under the limelight, but just because I’m taking a girl out for lunch or dinner doesn’t mean that we are dating. (Shrugs nonchalantly) I’m used to such talk now. It helps create a buzz around our film.

Disha and you have earlier done a music video together, Befikra. What was it like teaming up for a film?
She is a sincere, hardworking girl with her head on her shoulders and no tantrums. She wants to do her best and is a great friend. We have a comfortable rapport which flowed through the scenes naturally.

You have loved your locks since you entered the industry. How difficult was it to chop them off and get used to the new look?
It was important for me to cut my hair as I play an army officer for a part of the film. I also had to look tougher and more mature, put on some muscle. I’ve always been disciplined about what I eat but for Baaghi 2, I had to be in the best shape of my life. I achieved that but was anxious about how my new look would be received. Luckily, the audience has accepted it graciously.

Part 2 has to be a notch higher than the original in every way and that ups the expectations. How are you handling the pressure that a sequel brings?
Yes, since Baaghi was so well accepted and is now a franchise, we had to scale up the action. So, instead of confining ourselves, we have shot more in the outdoors and I’ve experimented with a variety of combat forms. Also, in the original, no weapons were used. This time we have them as also helicopters.

You also have a new director, Ahmed Khan stepping in for Sabbir Khan, who has directed you in three films, Heropanti, Baaghi and Munna Michael. What was your reaction to the change?
We definitely missed Sabbir sir on this film, but I’m blessed to be working with Ahmed sir who’s been a favourite since my first film when he choreographed the songs. He knows my best angles, my plusses and minuses, he won’t okay a single shot unless it is perfect.

Baaghi 3 has been announced even before the release of Part 2…
It just goes to show how confident the makers are about Baaghi 2. It’s a good feeling for me though I haven’t seen the film yet. But Sajid sir keeps telling me that he is very proud and happy and that is reassuring.

Baaghi 2 will be followed by Student of the Year sequel, then the desi Rambo...
Yes, SOTY demands a boyish look and is a huge contrast to what I’m doing at the moment. I’m looking forward to working with a young team, including the director Punit Malhotra. It’s a huge responsibility to take Karan (Johar) sir’s franchise a few notches higher so it can pave way for SOTY 3. After that, I get into Siddharth Anand’s action-thriller with Hrithik (Roshan), then, we will shoot Baaghi 3 before we kickstart Rambo.

In the film with Hrithik Roshan, can we expect a dance off?
Hrithik Roshan is my ultimate hero and I don’t know if I’ll even be able to move when I am sharing the frame with him. I’ll probably just be standing there staring at him. That is how much in awe of him I am. I hope we make magic together.

Except for the Hrithik film, you haven’t signed any other two-hero films or multi-starrers?
I don’t mind them but mostly I only get offered solo projects. I thought Student Of The Year 2 would be a two-hero film but it’s turned into a two-heroine film.

You haven’t flirted with a comedy yet…
I want to do one eventually, but right now I’m very happy in my space. I’m blessed with the line-up of films I have right now. They just came to me and I accepted them as gifts from God. As an actor, I want to do everything, you are greedy, but that isn’t always possible.

Earlier, you had said that you would consider acting in a film with your father, Jackie, when you were more established as an actor. Are you open to the idea now?
(Laughs) If we get the right script and he promises not to direct me on set, then yes, I would do it.

Tell us about your dance and martial arts schools, apparently your sister Krishna will be handling the latter?
I haven’t opened either yet, it’s still a work in progress. Right now, I’m focused on Baaghi 2. I need this film to really work for me. All other plans will take off after its release. Krishna is someone I trust, she’s very sorted. She handles my money well and is the more responsible one among us.

Your father escapes from the city to his farm. Where do you go?
My escape is my work, I don’t need any other escape.