Hugh Jackman remembers his Bollywood friend at the premiere of his new film in Sydney
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 21, 2017)

After the Sydney premiere of his upcoming film, The Greatest Showman, Hollywood actor Hugh Jackman was all praise for Shah Rukh Khan, whom he refers to as “Bollywood’s greatest showman”. “I have done a lot of dancing and singing in this film and I had Shah Rukh Khan in mind while shooting for it. He is my mentor and I need to take more dance lessons from him. I have also done the signature SRK move, spreading my arms wide,” Hugh said while addressing the media as he recreated the famous gesture on the red carpet. “I would love to see Shah Rukh in the Indian version of this film,” Jackman added.

Directed by debutant Michael Gracey with songs and lyrics by Academy Award winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land), the musical, which also features Zac Efron, traces the birth of show business and Hugh’s character who goes through a rags-to-riches narrative.

Hugh and SRK had first met at a mutual friend’s bash a couple of years ago and the 49-year-old X-Men star recalls dancing and conversation dominating the meeting. “I need to meet him soon!” the Oz actor exclaimed.

Hugh Jackman, confessing his love for Bollywood and cricket; will be seen as the fearsome pirate Blackbeard in his next film
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 8, 2015)


Hugh Jackman made headlines in September when he shared the stage with India's prime minister Narendra Modi at the Global Citizen Festival in New York's Central Park. At the end of the event, addressing 60,000 students, Modi had cheered, "I salute you... May the Force be with you," a popular quote from Star Wars.

Speaking from Hong Kong, Hugh told Mirror, "He's a funny guy! I heard his speech and figured people love him. He even quoted Star Wars in his speech, which was cool. But I sincerely hope he remembers a line by Wolverine the next time. Modi, sure looks like someone who's having a great time in America."

The 46-year-old Australian-native, best known as Wolverine from the X-Men series, will next be seen as the fearsome pirate Blackbeard, in Joe Wright's fantasy-adventure film, Pan, a prequel to Scottish author J M Barrie's much-loved 1904 story Peter Pan.

"Peter Pan is one of those seminal stories that is known by all ages in all countries. It's universal, and in creating an origin for Peter, I think Joe really hooked into the inner child within all of us," Hugh says, adding that 12-year-old Levi Miller does a fine job as a young Peter Pan. "He's an Australian too and didn't seem intimidated by me at all. On our first day on the set, he called me "Sir" and I said "Let's just stick to Hugh, ok mate?" But we had to settle for "Mr Hugh Jackman". It was intimidating, but he wouldn't nudge," Hugh laughs.

For the film, which releases in India on October 9, writer Jason Fuchs expanded on a grain of information about Blackbeard, from the book to create a bad guy, which the director said would be played by the "nicest man in show business, Hugh Jackman." Confirming the same, the actor adds. "I've played bad guys before, but not one quite this bad. Not only is he wicked and cruel, he also loves to hear himself talk, make speeches and use big words. He thinks he's very important, and he is scary, but he's having a good time and that made him a fun character to play," he adds.

The actor says that shaking a leg as Blackbeard reminded him of the time he had partied with Shah Rukh Khan. "I met him in Fiji and he taught me some Bollywood moves, which you'll see me doing in the film. There's singing and dancing and colours like the ones I saw in India," says Hugh, who had visited Rajasthan and Delhi on a five-day trip over a decade ago. "I will be back, this time with my wife (Deborra-Lee Furness)," he says. Jackman, who got married in 1996, had personally designed the wedding rings, which bore the Sanskrit inscription, "Om paramar mainamar", translating to "We dedicate our union to a greater source..."

Huge says, "I'm fascinated by your country and intrigued by the history and culture. This time, I'd like to take my wife to the South of India to study ancient Vedic texts. I am also enamoured by the spicy food." He adds that he'd love to be a part of Mumbai's Comic Con, and dress up as Wolverine. "I am well aware of the fan following I have in Mumbai."

Huge is keen to fly down to India with Broadway To Oz, a concert-stage show, scheduled to hit five Australian cities next month. "It's a personal journey through my life, from my early days in Outback Australia, through successes in musical theatre and Hollywood stardom." The actor is polishing his dancing skills for the tour, and will be accompanied by 150 musicians and dancers. "But I'm not singing, yet," he insists.

The actor is also inspired by Sachin Tendulkar. "He's like Don Bradman, the greatest player that the game has seen. It's that sense of being a gentleman at all times that makes him who he is," Hugh says, recalling a story an Australian cricketer, who played with Tendulkar during an IPL match, shared with him. "They were in a team bus after a match, and a huge crowd gathered outside to cheer for Sachin. This player closed Sachin's curtain in a gesture to say, "I'll give you a break". Sachin pulled the curtain back, waved at the crowd and turned around and told him, "Never forget that we are here because of them". This inspires me every single day," Hugh said, adding that he'd love to have the superpower of 'Teleportation'. "Only, so that I could teleport to India to have lunch with all these people I keep hearing so much about," he reasons.

Jackman signs off admitting it's time he hung up his Wolverine gear, after playing Logan through seven films. He will make his final appearance in the third instalment of the franchise next year. "Tom Hardy was the first name that came to my mind as the next Logan," says Hugh. "Getting over Wolverine will not be difficult for me. I'm not that type of a guy who says, oh... only I should've played Wolverine," he says.

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 5, 2015)

Hugh Jackman: Crying wolf
My wife (Deborra-Lee Furness) and I had a disagreement when I signed up for the role of X-Men's Wolverine in 2000. Deb thought it was a terrible idea because it's very self-indulgent, all about me. It was the only time I proved her wrong. I've been Wolverine for so long. But I think I'll need to get rid of my wolf-syndrome next year. Tom Hardy would be a great replacement!

Priyanka Chopra: In the jean junction
One of the two things I will never let go of are the handwritten letters my father (Dr Ashok Chopra) wrote to me. It's in the same font that I have tattooed to my hand. The second is a large solitaire ring, gifted by him, which I wear, often. He would joke that the man I wanted to marry had to beat this ring. These apart, I will happily get rid of my old, worn jeans that are out of fashion now... And the ripped Tees which were once a fad!

Konkana Sen Sharma: My dear diary
I've never kept a journal or diary in particular, but I have a notebook since class 11 whose pages are now dog-eared, with Plato-notes from college, some math problems, lyrics by Alanis Morissette and a few other songs penned down from my 20s. There are things I don't even understand anymore, like little notes a friend and I passed between class. Also, e-words, that I did not know the meaning of then. I haven't updated the notebook in years. May be it's time to give up on it now!

Taapsee Pannu: Coat uncoat
I have treasured a long, white, oversized coat since my college years. I've moved from Delhi to Mumbai and back over a dozen times, but strangely, I never remember to bring it with me. I don't remember to take it out during Delhi winters and since it's hardly cold in Mumbai, it's just been lying in the cupboard. Now, that it is out of fashion and I can let it go!

Ayushmann Khurrana: Tee off
My mom has a crazy habit. She will holler, every now and then, "Clean out the almari", and it's time for spring cleaning. I have around 15 Tees and a dozen denims, but I keep wearing the same three pairs over and over again. When I was packing for my Maroon 5 concert recently, I found a Tee I'd bought and completely forgotten about. And it made me realise mom was right, it was time to empty the wardrobe.

Rajkummar Rao: Shoe off now
I've walked the whole of Europe in an amazing pair of comfortable shoes. They are close to my heart but worn out now. I think I'll give them away. But I will never throw away my pen from Shahid and the watch which is a memento of Citylights.

Abhay Deol: Under ki baat
Torn underwear, for sure!

Aditi Rao Hydari: Pack up
My mom gave me a silver keychain when I left for boarding school. It had my trunk and cupboard keys and a beautiful old coin with Persian calligraphy on it. I'll never get rid of that but I think I can discard some of the clothes from that trunk and cupboard now. 

DNA (August 6, 2015)

Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar have pushed Hollywood actors like Johnny Depp, Dwayne Johnson and Leonardo DiCaprio out of the top 10 Forbes Highest-Paid Actors 2015 list. Of the 12 newcomers who are part of the ranking, five are from B-Town.While Big B and Salman come at No.7 with $33.5 million, Akshay ranks ninth with $32.5 million. Shah Rukh Khan comes at No.18 ($26 million) but is ahead of stars like Ben Affleck, Hugh Jackman, Seth Rogan, Will Smith and even Brad Pitt. Ranbir Kapoor ($15 million) comes at number 30. The world’s highest-paid actor is Robert Downey Jr ($80) while No.2 is Chinese actor and martial arts star Jackie Chan ($50 million) and Vin Diesel comes third ($47 million).

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; March 2, 2015)

In India, briefly for a Hollywood film shoot with Nicole Kidman, British actor of Indian descent, Dev Patel, best known for his work in Slumdog Millionaire sportingly answered our questions in his thick English accent.

Seven years have passed since Slumdog Millionaire. You were only 17 then. A lot must have changed?
I think I am just growing up. The more jobs you do, the more experience you get. You come in contact with more and more great actors and directors. The work I am doing... from The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel to this American TV show Newsroom, Chappie all are incredibly different. It makes you more confident and refined on camera as well.

How was it working with Hugh Jackman in Chappie?
Incredible, he is so charismatic. He's a star in every way. Every woman fell in love with him on set. He's spontaneous, full of energy and has a brilliant sense of humour. We have a good chemistry in the film. It was a dream working with him. He got out the teenage boy in me.

You play a robotics expert in that film. Are you a nerd in real life as well?
I am pretty bad when it comes to technology. I refuse to have an iPhone, I have an old touch screen phone. It's a conscious choice because I like keeping things simple. Everyone is constantly on phone these days. It's really a shame because you get disconnected from actually being face to face with humans. Even with my friends, I hate texting. I love talking. That's the kind of person I am. I am not on social media, instant chat messenger either.

You are in India for a shoot. What is that one quality you like the most about the country?
Absolute optimism is what I adore. The nation is developing so fast. Triumph and determination of people here is so intimidating. I love it here, I never felt more alive.

As a British actor, how difficult is it to speak in Indian accent?
India is so diverse, lot of people have qualms with my accent in Marigold. My argument is, it's not based on a person but is a comedic creation. I play India's acclaimed mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan next and that requires a different accent as it's a different persona altogether. You try and discover.

Speaking of Bollywood, you are not too comfortable with dancing?
I absolutely hate dancing. I am very conscious about my gangly limbs, think it's a great obstacle.

Your physical transformation - from being a lanky teenager to a bearded, rugged guy has been much appreciated by women.
I don't know. I stay away from reading stuff about myself. Confidence is a very fragile thing. I am just being me. It's a funny thing when people react differently, when you transform yourself from role to role. I guess I am maturing.

You spoke very fondly of (ex girlfriend) Freida Pinto recently
Sorry, no personal questions.

Are you single?
Ha ha, am I single? I can't answer that right now.

The cricket World Cup is on. Are you following it?
I follow tennis and Roger Federer. Apart from that, I can't sit down and watch a lot of sports. I am more of a part taker than a witness.