Vidyut Jammwal says talent must be acknowledged in the film industry
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 13, 2020)

In April, when Mirror had spoken to Vidyut Jammwal, he’d been revolutionising fitness with an online exercise plan rooted in Kalaripayattu which promised to help people de-stress and build up immunity during the Coronavirus lockdown. Four months later, he’s delighted his lung, kidney and bone breathing has healed many. “Kalari means battlefield and payattu is to fight or practise. The ancient martial arts equips one for battle, the kind we are fighting today,” the actor asserts. And while many are getting angry, restless, even depressed cooped up at home, Vidyut sees it as a Samudra Manthan.

“Mother Nature is keeping us in while she cleanses the world. The future is very bright, we’ll come out of the Coronavirus pandemic, better and stronger,” he promises.

Vidyut has a release coming up, Khuda Haafiz, inspired by the true life story of a newly-wed couple. It traces a common man’s journey to get his wife back, after she’s abducted in a foreign country. “It’s a fantastic love story and I know, like Sameer, I too would do anything for love, be it my mother, sister or best friend. The difference is that while he had never fought in his life, I’ve been a trained fighter all my life, so, the challenge was to unlearn my physical reflexes,” reasons the actor who has yet to meet the man who inspired the film and will only do so, happily, if he expresses a desire to interact.

The film was among the seven acquired by a streaming platform. But while five others were announced with much fanfare at an event, Vidyut and his film were left out, along with a Kunal Kemmu starrer. “A BIG announcement for sure!! 7 films scheduled for release but only 5 are deemed worthy of representation. 2 films, receive no invitation or intimation. It’s a long road ahead. THE CYCLE CONTINUES,” he had tweeted, his objection coming at a time when in the wake of Sushant Singh Rajput’s untimely demise, people questioning the privileges accorded to star kids, were whipping up an outsiders vs insiders debate. “I woke up to the announcement and curious over my omission, posed a question. The nation stood up for me,” he says simply.

Does he still feel like an ‘outsider’, after almost a decade in the film industry? Pointing out that the word is interpreted differently by different people, Vidyut avers, “If it means I have no filmi connections, then yes, I am an outsider. But when I came to Mumbai I was told that you can’t make friends here. Today, I know that’s a lie because I have many good friends, mostly among producers and directors who’ve bet their money on me. And I say with complete conviction that the film industry is a beautiful place to be, a few rotten apples cannot change that.”

Does Randeep Hooda rank among his good friends given he responded to his tweet with a promise to watch Vidyut’s film? His Force co-star, Genelia Deshmukh, also pointed out that every film is made with a lot of sweat, love and a lot of people giving it their all and that it’s only fair to want a little respect, expect an invitation and at least be intimated. “But then, sometimes even life is not fair. Keep walking my friend,” she urged Vidyut, who calls Randeep “amazing and one of our best talents” even though they’ve never met and is grateful to Genelia for saying “the right thing at the right time”. Alluding to beggars at traffic signals who people sometimes look through, he insists that one should not be disrespectful to anyone. “In the film industry, it’s important to acknowledge and salute talent. Don’t give people work, but don’t ignore them either,” he asserts.

Admitting that there have been times when people have seen him and not come up to say “hello”, he says he now greets them before they can. “When I won awards internationally, no one tweeted for me and while that didn’t make me bad or sad, today, if anyone does the country proud, I always write to them,” he shares.

Quoting Jim Carrey, who said, “I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer”, Vidyut insists that we should always be empathetic to others. “Kindness doesn’t cost anything?” he retorts.

A franchise that’s come to be associated with him is Commando. Vidyut reveals that producer Vipul Shah and he have been working on Part 4. “We aspire to make everyone proud,” he vows.

This international list also features Russian President Vladimir Putin and celebrity adventurer-TV host, Bear Grylls
BOMBAY TIMES (July 21, 2020)

Bollywood action star Vidyut Jammwal has made it to the ‘10 People You Don’t Want To Mess With’ list published by the portal, TheRichest. His name features alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is a 9th Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo, and the world-renowned adventurer and TV host, Bear Grylls.

Vidyut is the first Indian actor to feature on the coveted list. Known for executing complex fight sequences on screen without using a body double, he has been described as one of the most “dangerous highly skilled martial artistes” by the portal. The Yaara actor has often remarked that fighting is not just about muscles and strength. The website has quoted him as saying, “Punching and kicks don’t make a great martial artiste, learning patience and upsetting the balance of one’s opponent completes him as one.”

The actor, who was initiated into Kalaripayattu at the age of three, grew up focussing on fitness and training for endurance. He is touted to have done live action shows in more than 25 countries. Recently, Vidyut introduced a new segment on his channel on a video-sharing platform. Titled X-Rayed By Vidyut, it showcases the lives of legends of the action world.

Previously, Vidyut has featured on various published lists such as ‘Top 10 Martial Artists Of The World’, ‘The Times 50 Most Desirable Men’, ‘Top 5 Fittest Men’, ‘Best Bodies’ and ‘Sexiest Men Alive’. He was also adjudged as one of PETA India’s Hottest Vegetarian Celebrities.

Vidyut Jammwal to host a virtual chat with Furious 7 actor Tony Jaa on staying fit amid lockdown
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 13, 2020)

An exponent of Kalaripayattu, Vidyut Jammwal has played a key role in taking Hindi film action sequences beyond the tried-and-tested kicks and punches. Taking his love for martial arts ahead, the actor has conducted a virtual video chat with Tony Jaa, the Thai actor-action director whose résumé includes XXX: Return of Xander Cage (2017), Furious 7 (2015) and Paradox (2017). In the video that drops online tomorrow, Jammwal and Jaa — a practitioner of Muay Thai — will be seen discussing how they stayed fit amid the Coronavirus lockdown.

"The idea was to speak to people who are at the highest plane not only physically, but also mentally. To me, Tony is one of the finest and fittest artistes in the world. We discussed spirituality and its connection with martial arts. In times like these, it's important to have a discussion about martial arts that can help us retain our balance," says Jammwal.

Besides fitness, the two artistes share a deep love for cinema. Proud that they are able to bring their two passions on the screen, Jammwal adds, "As action stars, we both believe in doing our own stunts to make it as real as possible on screen. Kalaripayattu is an elaborate martial art followed by [the exponents of] Shaolin temple as well as those of Muay Thai. Every form of martial art has taken an element from this ancient art form."

Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES: July 7, 2020)

Social media might be an intrinsic part of the modern, digital world, but it has often been criticised for spewing hate and spreading negativity. However, not everything is bad and bleak about it. Many people are using it as a tool to spread hope and positivity, especially in these tough times. Actor Vidyut Jammwal would know. After conducting fitness sessions through his social media accounts during the lockdown, he is now planning to help people find sources of income through his initiative, ‘Goodwill for Good’.

He tells us, “Post the pandemic, the biggest problem will be lack of jobs. In fact, unemployment is already at an all-time high. I came up with this idea when I saw the response to my Kalaripayattu sessions on social media. I realised that I can do a lot more than just that.”

About the initiative, he adds, “If I am convinced that someone is talented and has a genuinely new idea — it could be a business or a start-up idea — I will support it. Let me make it clear that I won’t charge anything to promote someone’s idea, or post things to gain any kind of monetary benefit.”

So, has he supported any idea so far? Yes, and not surprisingly, it’s connected with a cause close to his heart — animal welfare. Vidyut shares, “I have been receiving immense response. I read all the mails and have also started calling up people, whose ideas strike me as innovative. One idea that I liked in particular was proposed by a girl from Delhi, who wanted to build reasonably priced birdhouses. I felt that it’s a timely idea, because once the world returns to normalcy, the man-animal conflict is going to spiral out of control. With human beings being confined to their homes for so long, birds and animals were enjoying relative freedom. But, once we start stepping out like before, they will need safe havens, so that we can coexist peacefully.”

Talking about peaceful coexistence, recent cases of cruelty against animals has left the actor heart-broken. Says Vidyut, “The man-animal conflict is a result of our action, not the animals. The most pertinent thing we need to learn is to be kind to other creatures. We need to learn to coexist. Human beings have adamantly decided that we rule this planet. We seriously need a mental check, because every day we prove that we aren’t a superior race.”

Sonil Dedhia (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 22, 2020)

Known for his fitness and discipline, Vidyut Jammwal has taken full advantage of the Coronavirus lockdown. The actor, who is a Kalaripayattu expert and has been practising since he was three, has been conducting online training sessions which includes energising and strengthening of bones and even balancing and alignment techniques.

The actor says, “Kalaripayattu is one form of martial art which can actually cure your joint or bone. All this while, I never had time because I was busy shooting. But many of my friends and fans had requested me to share my views. People have a myth that having six pack abs is equal to working out. There are six different systems in the body and it is equally important to pay attention to all of them. I am really enjoying connecting with people. I got a message from my fan who said that her elbow pain, which she had for three years, has now healed. I believe lockdown cannot be an excuse for not staying fit. Instead people have more time now.”

Vidyut believes in the theory of starting slowly and steadily, “When someone joins a gym, the trainer might ask you to do something that is unexpected which creates self-doubt. It is important not to discourage yourself. The agenda should not be to look good but to physically and mentally more stronger than what you are.”

The actor feels we must utilise this time to introspect, he says, “I was speaking to a friend of mine and I told him that I slept for 16 hours straight and I never thought I would do that. I am living in the moment and I believe this is the time to polish your own skills because this time is never going to come back. As human beings, there are a lot of shortcomings and we can actually overcome that. Apart form watching movies, it’s also time to watch ourselves and alter our mindset.”

Vidyut Jammwal’s exercises, shared and perfected during lockdown, help de-stress, develop immunity
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 18, 2020)

The on-going lockdown has left many bored, depressed and restless, but Vidyut Jammwal who took off to an undisclosed location in the countryside just days before we were shut in by the Coronavirus outbreak, couldn’t be happier. “I’m on an inner pilgrimage, disconnected with the outside world and connected with the inside. We will never get a time like this in history again, so, utilise it to learn about yourself and do all that you ever wanted to but couldn’t for lack of time,” he asserts.

Prod the actor on his timetable and he laughs, “I don’t have one. I eat when I am hungry. I’ve slept 14 hours and stayed up 36 hours. When girls complain about their hair, I tell them to let it grow, even let it gray. Just be the person you are without trying to be any different. No one knows what will happen tomorrow, so why stress over it.”

Vidyut himself has let his hair grow out and is sporting a beard while brushing up on his Kalaripayattu skills through action and meditation. “This martial arts has come down to us directly from Lord Shiva. It underlines the fact that nothing is impossible. Practise makes perfect,” he asserts.

Starting with cousins and friends who urged him to go on Facebook, he has been sharing his knowledge and expertise with anyone who cares to log in for a live demo on the social networking site or watch his videos later. “These sessions are completely free and aimed at relieving mental distress and building up immunity,” insists Vidyut.

Rattlings off the six systems-circulatory or cardio-vascular, respiratory, digestive, neuro or nervous system, muscular and skeletal—that govern our body and need to be nurtured, he points out that his workouts are unlike a gym routine. So, while trainers shame you into doing 20 squats by pulling off 50 themselves, which come from years of training, he urges you to jog on the spot, clap and tap every part, from neck to knee, breath into every organ, from bones and lungs to kidneys, in a warm-up exercise which proclaims ‘I love my body’.

It can be done anytime—first thing in the morning, when you are watching TV or preparing for bed. “I usually wake up around 5-6 am. After 15 minutes of charging myself, I’m fully energised and can be on the go for 10-15 hours. It’s important to keep moving, shake up the systems, as that flushes out toxins and strengthens the inner core,” the actor informs, adding that after a recent session on bone breathing, aimed at increasing red and white blood cell count, he got 18,000 messages exulting that a nagging shoulder or elbow ache was gone.

Talking about chakras and marmas, Vidyut goes into kidney breathing and reverse breathing which help balance out the mind and body. “Fear is the biggest disease of the human brain, along with jealousy and anxiety,” he cautions, saying his simple exercises like bending from the hip for as far as you can go and stretching out the leg, has helped not just him after several bone cracks but even those who, even after surgeries, were unable to squat. And his reverse breathing has breathed 15 per cent life into a 76-year-old man unable to bend his shoulder girdle and elbow for seven years.

In conclusion, while teaching you to smile at the sun and kiss the moon, the actor says, “I know all of us out there are dying to go back to work, to capture the world. But till it’s time, why not capture this moment.”

The actor trained in martial arts, flexibility and endurance and went off sugar, salt to go from lean in the first half to bulked-up in the later parts of his romantic-thriller
Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 9, 2020)

For his turn as the protagonist in Mohit Suri’s Malang, Aditya Roy Kapur had to undergo an extreme makeover—while his character is lean in the first half of the film, the second half sees him in a bulked-up avatar.

Mohit, who is reuniting with his Aashiqui 2 hero after seven years with this Bhushan Kumar, Luv Ranjan and Jay Shewakaramani production, which also features Disha Patani, Anil Kapoor and Kunal Kemmu, says, “Aditya’s two looks can be defined as hippy—which is actually him off-camera—and the muscular hero. It’s easy if you have six months to go from one look to the next, but he has done it in two months, living without sugar and salt when we were shooting portions in which he had to look ripped. Then, he started eating all the time to be bigger; it’s a difficult job.”

As part of his prep, Aditya entrusted his fitness trainer, Sudarshan Amkar, to help him achieve the physicality of his character when he transforms into a compulsive killer. For the combat scenes, the actor took up training in martial arts, flexibility and endurance. “We would spend two-three hours in the gym every day. In the evenings, I suggested he do cardio for half-an-hour,” says Sudarshan, who also convinced Aditya to buy a treadmill, so he could get the cardio in at home.

The daily sessions would begin with stretches, followed by mobility and strength training. “We’d start the warmups with yoga, and to increase mobility we used Kalaripayattu and various forms of martial arts. Aditya would run for 20 minutes after every training session to improve stamina,” explains Sudarshan, adding that he ensured Aditya followed a strict nutrition plan.

— with inputs from Himesh Mankad 

Vidyut Jammwal adds no man dares misbehave with a woman when he is around
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 27, 2019)

The Commando series has taken you on many daring adventures which we have seen play out on screen. But as an army kid, you must know about many such real-life missions. Tell us about one of them.
The first thing you learn as an army kid is that you do not speak about what you hear or learn as it could compromise national security. So, while I do know many such stories from battle fields like Kargil, I have never shared them even when I went to a public field. That oath of secrecy is a part of my being now, like the innate respect I have for anyone in uniform. The army doesn’t just safeguard our country, it also jumps into action during a crisis. I was in Manali during an avalanche there and the army was called in to get people out.

Okay, so tell us what’s the most daring thing you have ever done?
I’ll tell you what’s the first manly thing I did, which is open the door for every woman who entered the army cantonment club. I was four then and my brother and I would compete to be the first to reach the door. If the lady entering smiled and said “thank you” our day was made. That habit has continued.

When I was at the airport in Tashkent, I saw a fellow passenger hefting a suitcase and just plucked it out of her hand and carried it. Since I was a complete stranger, the lady was wary and kept trying to grab it back, till we reached immigration where some fans recognised me and asked me for pictures. Surprised, she turned to me and said, “Oh, you’re famous!” (Laughs) I told her I was just an actor.

So, chivalry is not dead?
No, it’s is not dead. I have convinced my nine-year-old nephew that every time he gets off the car, he should run around and open the door for his sister, who is 15, before she can reach for the door handle. It’s important to instill chivalry in boys at an early age, and it’s equally important for ladies to acknowledge a gesture, be it opening a door or offering a seat, with a smile and a “thank you”, instead of shrugging it off. That’s the way chivalry will not just survive but multiply too.

Since you became an actor, have you ever had to jump to the rescue of a damsel in distress?
Real men don’t misbehave with women. And those who do, would not dare to do it when I am around.

Getting back to Commando, how long will the series go on?
It will keep going on. The idea is not to enter any Rs 100 or Rs 200-crore club. This franchise has, over the last nine years, made people aware of me as an actor. And with growing acceptance, appreciation and adulation, I have only become more respectful towards others. The Tibetan philosophy which I endorse tells that the higher you go, the lower your ego should go. That’s my motto.

You never have more than a couple of films in hand. Doesn’t that ever make you insecure in an industry where fortunes change every Friday?
Kalaripayattu has taught me that security doesn’t come from money, more movies or the houses and cars you buy. I would wish name, fame and money on everyone, so they would know that happiness comes from deep within and security comes from knowing that I have talent in me. I work hard through the year to be happy. For the last 20 years, every night I have come back home and written in my journal. It’s a way of seeing myself day to day, knowing what makes me happy.

Given that you design the action in all your films, have you ever given direction or production a thought?
I have never studied acting though I have educated myself over the years. So, I don’t have the expertise to be a director. Even my mental make-up is that of a performer. Production, I can’t say. If by putting a little extra from my pocket, I can up the scale and standard of a film, why not?

You recently took a trip alone through the North-East and plan to do it more often. Why?
Most of the time I am surrounded by people. So, it’s important to get away, be with myself, and reflect on all that’s been happening. It’s the best way to stay sane.

You’ve been in Uzbekistan the past few weeks shooting for a film…
Yes, Khuda Hafiz, that’s the film Faruk Kabir is making. It’s a true-life story of a man fighting to get his wife back from a Middle-Eastern country. This guy is not a commando and for him, I have to tap deep to find the hero within me. Uzbekistan is a country that loves India and its heroes. They love Mithun Chakraborty, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and now, having Googled me, they love me too.

And have you found love too, in your personal life?
If you mean, am I in a relationship, then the answer is “No”. But I’m still full of love and everyone I meet, I shower with this love. Hey, I hope I am not sounding cheesy?

As told to Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 10, 2019)

I had recorded my stunts and instead of handing out portfolio pictures, I’d hand over this DVD to filmmakers. One day, my director-friend Deepak Shivdasani asked me to meet Nishikant Kamat who was casting for his directorial. When I met Nishi at the coffee shop below his house, I handed him the DVD. He liked what he saw, but insisted I audition for the role of the main villain in Force as he wanted a strong, fit guy to play Vishnu Reddy. The audition scene was a conversation with my brother in the film during which we are plotting revenge. Nishi shot me on a handy-cam, producer Vipul Shah gave me the thumbs-up and when we met, told me, “We will give you an action scene.” I didn’t understand what he meant. For me, it was just about breaking into Bollywood then.

We were supposed to do some readings before the shoot, but that didn’t happen because I had fallen ill. So, I turned up directly on the sets. On the first day, we filmed my introduction which had me fighting some six-foot goons in a godown. We were supposed to shoot in Africa, but eventually, canned the scene on a set in Mumbai. After seeing me fight, Vipul Shah promised to launch me as a hero if he ever made an action film. After a year and a half, he came to me with Commando, so my first shot did help me bag a solo hero action film.

Since we had started off with action, my confidence was up and I wanted to do good work. Overall, it was a smooth journey and for me, the nicest person on the set was Genelia D’souza. She was a big star and I loved chatting with her. We bonded over Kalaripayattu, as she had used the technique in one of her South Indian films, Urumi. One of my most difficult scenes was dragging Genelia by the hair. I was terrified because she looks so fragile. She kept telling me to do it, but I was skeptical as I had never treated a girl that way. I did it eventually.

Force was all about following instructions, but with experience, I’ve realised that one has to be careful in the choices one makes. I was just the villain of Force to John (Abraham)’s hero, but once I started doing solo hero films, I decided not to say “yes” to everything that came my way. A “no” makes me even more sure about what I want to do. I will believe where others doubt.

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 4, 2019)

After filming a few scenes in Goa, Aditya Roy Kapur has headed to Mauritius for the second schedule of Malang. Over the next two weeks, the actor will be required to tap into his action side as he shoots three high-octane sequences, including a car chase and a hand-to-hand combat scene. While the team has roped in a local stunt director for the scenes in question, trainer Sudarshan D Amkar has travelled with Kapur to ensure seamless execution of the stunts.

Amkar reveals that he has been training him over the past six months, keeping the demands of the Mohit Suri-directed action thriller in mind. "When Aditya first came to me, he had a huge body. [For this film], we had to build on his flexibility and agility. So, we added Kalaripayattu movements to his daily regimen so that his body could move in every angle. We trained for two hours every day, starting our routine with dynamic stretches. It would allow us to see where his body is imbalanced. We also practised kicks and punches, besides his cardio sessions."

Though details of the shoot are being kept under wraps, sources close to the film tell us that a scene in the climax has been designed along the lines of car chase sequences in The Fast & The Furious series.

Amkar adds that since Kapur is new to the action, he is all the more prone to injuries. "We carry resistance bands on set because if his body is not warm, he won't feel athletic. If the body isn't physically prepared for action, it can lead to severe injuries. So we have focused on a holistic preparation, keeping an eye on everything that he is expected to perform in the film."

‘I have never seen a martial artist perform like this within the framework of the story, keeping the other people safe but putting himself at risk constantly’ – Chuck Russell
Abhimanyu Mathur (BOMBAY TIMES; March 29, 2019)

Calling Junglee just an ‘action adventure film’ would be stating the bare minimum; for the film stars an actor who is also one of India’s finest martial artists, being choreographed by an action director who has worked with Jackie Chan numerous times. The end result is a collection of action sequences never seen before in Indian cinema. To put it in director Chuck Russell’s words, “The film has action that is structured with a real herd of elephants and a true Indian story. What’s unique about the action in Junglee is that it’s organic to the theme of the film and it moves the story forward.”

‘I WILL NOT LET ANYBODY ELSE DO THE STUNT THAT I WANT TO DO’
Almost all of Junglee’s action sequences have been done with no CGI, with Vidyut performing most of his own stunts, refusing to use body doubles. While it adds flair to the film’s action scenes, it was something Chuck had to get used to.

VIDYUT: I was not born into this film industry and it’s a different journey for us. Every time a newcomer wants to make a mark here, he has to do something nobody has ever witnessed before. In my case, I love doing what I do and I will not give anyone else an opportunity to do something that I want to do. I will not let anybody else jump off that cliff. I will not let anybody else ride that elephant.

CHUCK: I’m proud of the work I have done in Hollywood and I’m proud of the performers I have worked with. But there is a western safety protocol around these things. We are creating an entertaining illusion, where I can do three-four takes and it’s cool. What I learnt from working with Vidyut is that it’s an extremely unique style where we are using his actual martial art, and his fans worldwide expect to see something real from him. He is committed to the audience. He is committed to the real thing. So, the learning curve for me was that he wanted to do the real thing, no doubles.


‘THIS MOVIE WILL PUT KALARIPAYATTU ON THE WORLD MAP’
What sets Junglee apart from other action films is that it showcases Kalaripayattu, India’s ancient martial art, which Vidyut has pretty much made his own.

VIDYUT: We had to come up with something that represents the nation and it’s not always one of the sports we talk about. Thailand is one of the biggest destinations in the world because of Muay Thai. For me, it’s about getting Kalaripayattu on the world map the way Shaolin Temple is, the way Muay Thai is. Let’s get the mother of all martial arts at the forefront.

CHUCK: I was amazed because I thought I knew a little bit about martial arts because I have worked with martial arts specialists. With the Schwarzenegger team (in Eraser), there were all sorts of Israeli fighters. On The Scorpion King, we had the stick fighters and things were Shaolin style. Then I realised Shaolin came from Kalaripayattu and I was thrilled.

‘VIDYUT CHALLENGED ME TO SHOW ACTION THAT WE HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE’
Chuck says that he was constantly surprised by how far Vidyut was willing to push the boundaries when it came to the action sequences in the film.

CHUCK: He would challenge me and say, ‘What haven’t we seen before, Chuck?’, which is where the ‘chained to a table, fighting four guys’ sequence came in, because that is something I hadn’t seen before. There is a scene in which he had to run through a window, which was just a hole in a real wall. The window was the size of a belt buckle, and I told him, ‘You’re not going to jump through that,’ but he told me he could. It was my first learning experience that he really wanted to do it. I said that’s the easiest thing to do in CGI, I’ll put a window in afterwards, but I saw his commitment. I realised this is a guy who is actually doing it. I have to get that into my head and stop thinking of my tricks. He is an expert and he pulled it off beautifully and I learnt to trust him more.

‘THIS IS THE ONLY FILM SET VIDYUT HAS EVER BEEN INJURED ON’
The breakneck pace of action and willingness to push the envelope meant that Vidyut injured himself on set twice — a first for the actor, giving Chuck and the crew some nervous moments.

CHUCK: I have never seen a martial artist perform like this within the framework of the story, keeping the other people safe, but putting himself at risk constantly. During some of the action, I was a nervous wreck. I learnt this is the first film set he has ever been injured on.

VIDYUT: In Kalaripayattu, they say if you fall, it’s your karma to stand up and try again and give it your 100 per cent. If you fall again, you have not given it your 100 per cent. So, till the time you get it right, you keep doing it. I want to experience, I want to live it, and that’s why I’m doing it. Without injuries, it’s no fun.

Vidyut Jammwal, adds that shooting for Junglee has taught him how to live and let live
Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 28, 2019)

He has taken it upon himself to redefine Bollywood’s action hero template but more than the on-screen stunts, it’s the rounds of promotions for his upcoming family-adventure Junglee that have left Vidyut Jammwal drained as he collapses into his seat. As he waits for the plane to take off and bring him back to Mumbai, he tiredly asks for luck as a way of greeting. But bring up the subject of elephants and he perks up instantly. “They are wonderful, you don’t have to greet them or compliment them on how much weight they have lost,” he chuckles, admitting that through the shoot of the Chuck Russell directorial, he has developed a lifelong bond with the mighty beasts.

So, what can he tell us about them that we don’t know? “You know nothing about them apart from the fact that they have an elephantine memory,” he laughs. “I can vouch for the fact that they are strong and sensitive, powerful yet kind, using their strength to protect and not harm. They are divine and revered both in Indian and Thai cultures. You just have to bow down to them. When I practised my salutations before them, they reciprocated because animals understand such gestures.”

The actor sounds almost spiritual as he goes on to explain how Kalaripayattu, the oldest form of martial arts that originated among the warriors of Kerala, teaches you the art of mimicking animals. “According to Hindu Vedic science, it takes 36,000 lifetimes to be able to enjoy the pleasures of the human body. And according to Kalaripayattu, if you want to imbibe the qualities of animals, you have to move, breathe and feel like them. It teaches you to move like an elephant, be agile like a horse, and sting like a scorpion,” the 38-year-old actor informs.

But shooting with animals was not easy and he insists there was a time when Lord Ganesha had to extricate him from a tricky situation. Recalling the incident, he narrates how he was caught between a herd of six elephants in a scene and realised they don’t run in a straight line. “For a moment I was terrified, then spotting an opening, I made a dash for it and celebrated by pumping my hands in the air. The scene is a part of the film. I sensed Ganesha’s presence, both in fear and relief,” he beams.

He admits that as a martial artiste he was involved in a lot of brawls. “I grew up in different states of the country and being a young guy and a fighter, brawls were a part of life. I have no regrets. I learnt about street-fighting and a lot about myself through these brawls. What I do in the movies is what I do in real life,” he confides.

However, shooting in the jungle has brought about a defining change in him. “Animals follow the law of nature—they live and let live. They don’t meddle in each other’s territories and only come together to drink water. Shooting in the jungle teaches you to live in harmony,” he philosophises as the plane taxies for take-off. 

As told to Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 11, 2019)

My expertise in action and years of training in Kalaripayattu, the oldest warfare technique practiced in South India, helped me enter the film industry. It is the mother of all martial arts, covering karate and Kung Fu, among other forms. Over the years, I have learnt how to handle 106 weapons that include swords, urumi (double-edged sword), spears, shield, gada, trishula and madu, to name a few. Being a Kalaripayattu exponent, I am a master of sword-fighting, horse-riding, hand-to-hand combat, healing and self-defense. This form of martial art is not about building the body, it’s about harnessing your inner strength. I have been lucky that the directors I worked with put all these skills to good use. It’s also because not many in the industry can offer so many variations in martial arts.

The Commando franchise (right and left) is all about action, so the aim has been to introduce something new with every film. In the first instalment, we incorporated one form of Kalaripayattu in the stunts, while for the second one, I hit the gym to bulk up. Since the film revolved around black money, it was essential to get rid of my lean frame. I wasn’t particularly a fan of beefy bodies, but I trained hard to acquire the look for the film. Now, I return with Commando 3. It required another form of Kalaripayattu for which I had to return to my lean frame and reacquaint my body with flexibility, which was compromised while bulking up.

While my look in Junglee (another upcoming release that opens on April 5) was quite like the one in Commando 3, I had a different art form to learn for the Junglee Pictures’ production. They wanted someone who was comfortable with animals as we had five-10 elephants on the sets all the time. Before kicking off the film, I spent a lot of time with an elephant mahout to understand the basic command words, how to sit on them, how to feed them, how not to harm them and lastly, how to bathe them. After getting the basics right, I took a step further by staying with an elephant whisperer for ten days to understand how he communicated with them. This way I learnt the art of connecting with the elephant without ordering it around. It was the biggest high of my life when the elephant understood my command for the first time; an experience I will cherish for life. You can use this technique with humans as well, because honesty and respect are the fundamentals of being an elephant whisperer.

For my upcoming film, Power, I surrendered myself to the vision of Mahesh Manjrekar (the film’s director), who is a master at sketching gangster characters and presenting them on screen in the most authentic way. For the film, I learnt how to get the nuances of a gangster right and worked extensively on my gait, as the ability to invoke fear depends on the attitude. A gangster is always a man of few words, which are spoken in unique style. It was more about getting the body language right, than action or any other art form.

Actor in the list of top six martial artists in the world; promises to wow in his upcoming family-adventure, Junglee Pictures’ Junglee, with the use of seven unique weapons
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 31, 2018) 

Looper, a coveted platform in the US, recently released a list of top martial artists across the world. Vidyut Jammwal is the only Indian to be featured in this prestigious list, among the top six. Speaking to Mirror about this unique achievement, the actor admits it’s a matter of great pride. “I’m humble enough to know that I’m not better than anybody, and wise enough to know that I’m different from the rest. Kalaripayattu is what gives me this belief,” he asserts.

Born into a family that practises the ancient Indian martial arts form, Vidyut started learning Kalaripayattu when he was just three years old and today can emulate the masters by balancing his entire body on a lone spear (pic above). “There are no cables involved, it’s all about activating the core. Kalaripayattu is not about building the body, it’s about harnessing your inner strength,” he explains, admitting it requires years of training, months of single-minded dedication and hours of daily practice to not just pull off these exercises but understand the philosophy, which makes Kalaripayattu unique. “It can kill, and it can heal too!” Vidyut reiterates.

His knowledge and skills in this martial arts form give him an advantage as an actor too because he can showcase action which has never been seen on screen in India or internationally. Pointing to two of his favourite stunts, Vidyut reminisces how he summersaulted over a moving car in Commando and in its sequel, flew to the top of a car and below it, without a harness or using a stunt double.

The actor admits that being too tall and too big, it’s difficult for him to fit into small spaces, yet in every one of the nine films he’s done so far, he’s overcome this challenge. “From wriggling into an AC duct to squeezing out of a small window in a hospital and even a car, I have done it all,” he beams, saying when the mind is willing the body automatically follows.

He goes on to point out that when Tom Cruise does a stunt in a Hollywood film, it costs big but while neither the original Force nor Commando 1 and 2 were lavishly mounted films, his daredevilry in them has been appreciated. “Today, people across the world acknowledge that it’s not about how much we spend but what we create that makes the difference,” he argues, and is quick to add that he admires Cruise who has made so many impossible missions possible over the years, maintaining the consistency in his action even at 50-plus and doing stunts with the same proficiency as when he was younger.

So, what sets Vidyut apart from other martial artists? It’s that he brandishes weapons, be it swords, sticks, guns or the urumi, which he uses to devastating effect in his upcoming family-adventure, Junglee Pictures’ Junglee. “The urumi is a sword with a flexible whip-like blade originating in South India. It is one of the most difficult weapons to master because one stands the risk of injuring oneself. So, it is taught last in Kalaripayattu and is a speciality of the Indian martial arts. I’ve used the real thing in the film,” he informs proudly.

He has used seven different weapons in Junglee which has just wrapped up, including the otta. “Kalaripayattu is the only martial arts to use the otta or elephant tusk. It’s difficult to wield and as dangerous as the urumi,” he admits. In the film, the actor has an elephant as his co-star and asserts that the well being of the animal was top priority on the sets. “The toughest thing when working with animals is keeping them safe if you are not using too many computer graphics. The producers and Chuck (Russell, director) were very careful we did not even leave even a scratch on the animals during the shoot,” he informs.

Chuck, who has to his credit Hollywood biggies like The Mask, Scorpion King and The Eraser, is gung-ho about his hero, saying it’s great to see Vidyut being noted as the rising star in action films across the world. “He has a rare combination of cinematic charm and killer moves that will make him unstoppable after Junglee. What really distinguishes Vidyut is his deep knowledge of Kalaripayattu and his understanding of its philosophy to not just use it to protect and fight, but heal too,” applauds Chuck, happy to have created a role for the actor in his film that plays to his unique action style while advocating a positive message. “I can’t wait for audiences to see it on screen.”

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 23, 2018)

With the maiden schedule of Brahmastra wrapping up tomorrow, Ranbir Kapoor is gearing up to get into action mode. We hear the actor, over the next four weeks, will train in various Indian martial art forms, including Kalaripayattu and Huyen Langlon, for his superhero act in the Ayan Mukerji-directed film.

A source from the film’s team reveals that both Kapoor and his co- star Alia Bhatt are expected to return from Bulgaria by the weekend. While Bhatt will dive headlong into Gully Boy, Kapoor will begin his prep for the June schedule of the fantasy film. “Ranbir will train in Kalaripayattu and Varma Kalai. He is required to have the physique of a gymnast for the film, and these martial art forms will help him achieve that,” says the source.

Besides attaining a lean physique, the actor will also have to pick up fight techniques for the action sequences of the Karan Johar production. Kapoor will require a ground training in Huyen Langlon, a popular form of martial art from Manipur that involves both armed and unarmed fighting. A trainer in the know informs, “He only needs to pick up combat training tricks. He will be spending time in developing each skill required for the film’s action sequences. We will focus on Phunaba Anishuba [the unarmed style of combat under Huyen langlon]. Though a month is a short span of time, his team of trainers will take him through the basics of each form.”

With Bollywood actor Kunal Kapoor being the latest to be trained in Kalaripayattu, Malayali gurukkals recount the training sessions with actors including Jackie Chan and Deepika Padukone
Anjana George (BOMBAY TIMES; August 13, 2016)