Vidyut Jammwal talks about his film, Junglee, winning two awards at the 5th Jackie Chan International Action Film Week
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; August 4, 2019)

Vidyut Jammwal, was in China this week, where his film Junglee bagged two awards — Best Action Sequence Choreographer and Best Action Family film Jury at The 5th Jackie Chan International Action Film Week. The closing ceremony featured a red carpet show by celebrated filmmakers and performers including Jackie Chan, Tsui Hark, Chris Tucker and Oscar-winner Adrien Brody.

Vidyut, who is known for his expertise as a martial artiste and also for choreographing some of his action scenes, told BT, “Around 150 movies from across the world competed for these awards. It feels great to be acknowledged by someone like Jackie Chan. These awards are equivalent to the Oscars for action stars. He, in fact, started this initiative because action stars rarely get to be a part of something like the Oscars. I am proud to have represented India there. With the film Junglee, we tried something different and this will enable the global audience to watch the movie. It was a big achievement for me to present the Indian martial art form Kalaripayattu in the film and I am glad it was recognised by the jury members.”

Vidyut was all praises for Jackie Chan. He shared, “He was the best host. He didn’t present a single award, but stood up, clapped and hugged every winner. I even dedicated a stunt to him, it was one that he had performed earlier. I did that stunt and shared it on social media. The stunt required me to break bricks with my hand while holding an egg in it, and I had to do that task without damaging the egg. He hugged me and asked me how many eggs were broken in the process. I told him I did it in one take.”

Talking about his film Junglee, Vidyut added, “Our action-adventure catered to the family audience, and I think that resonated with the jury. We haven’t had a film which featured real animals for the past 40 years, so Junglee was special. I want to thank my producers Vineet Jain and Priti Shahani for putting India on the global action map with this film.”

In the film, Vidyut’s character who has grown up with elephants at his father’s reserve, returns as a vet. When poachers set their sights on the animals, he ensures that they are not harmed. Hollywood director Chuck Russell helmed the film produced by Junglee Pictures, which released in March 2019.

Actor impressed his idol, Jackie Chan, founder of the fest, and his Rush Hour co-star, Chris Tucker
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 3, 2019)

Vidyut Jammwal was in China this week for the Jackie Chan International Film Week where Junglee Pictures’ action-adventure Junglee bagged two awards, for Best Action Sequence Choreographer and Best Action Family film. “It was great to be in a country where action is recognized and win the biggest award for action in the world,” exults the actor, informing that a Jackie Chan Award is equivalent to the Oscars for action filmmakers.

He goes on to add that Chan had once admitted that action films, though popular, seldom receive recognition at film festivals, which prompted him to start the initiative. “Over 150 films from across the globe were in contention and to go on the stage to represent India was the biggest honour. We were the stars in China and even Chris Tucker (Chan’s co-star in Rush Hour) appreciated my work,” Vidyut beams.

Before flying to Datong, Vidyut posted a video of him breaking bricks with his hand without any damage to the egg he is holding. “Jackie Chan had performed this stunt during an interview some years ago. Since then, nobody else had managed the feat. He gave me a hug and asked me how many eggs had I broken before getting it right. I was able to tell him it was done in a single take. It was a big deal for me because Jackie who has done everything possible in this genre and inspired so many, including me, loved my work,” Vidyut recounts, quick to point out that Jackie has become a benchmark for action and any stunts bring forth complaints from viewers that they have seen it in his films earlier.

Vidyut informs that Chung Chi Li (who worked on stunts with action director Parvez Shaikh), is the biggest action director in China. “In India, action films mostly cater to male audience but our film was tailored for families. I think that resonated with the jury. I want to thank my producers Vineet Jain and Priti Shahani for putting India on the global action map with this film,” he avers.

Ali Zafar on his film earning three nods at Jackie Chan Film Week
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 31, 2019)

After earning critical acclaim following its six-month run in cinema halls, Ali Zafar's debut production, the Pakistani film Teefa In Trouble, has been nominated for three titles at the ongoing Jackie Chan Action Film Week in China. Teefa In Trouble has been nominated in the festival's categories, including Best Action, Best Director [Ahsan Rahim] and Best Actor.

Zafar tells mid-day from China, "I was told that the response of the jury and the audience was fantastic. I met some of the jury members after the event and they were all praise for the film. This is the first time that a Pakistani film has been nominated on such a big scale. The fact, for it to be nominated in the top 10 action films category is an honour; we were up against 152 films from 32 countries."

While the film is available in India on Netflix, a China release, Zafar says, is in the pipeline. Meanwhile, he suggests that he continues to receive good wishes from his fans in India. "Their messages are heart-warming."

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