The actor says he couldn’t ‘think or process anything’ about Baaghi 3’s box office collections while Coronavirus was spreading
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 1, 2020)

This Tiger has been flying high with the praise he gets, especially for his action skills. Always holding his own, Shroff’s films have also been money-spinners, cases in point War (2019) and his last release Baaghi 3. The latter started off well, but the current Coronavirus situation saw India taking some unprecedented measures like shutting down movie theatres, which also meant that the lifetime collections of the actor’s film were affected.

As the entire country is under a lockdown till April 14, we ask the 30-year-old how he’s making the most of his time. “I have been doing home workouts, spending time with my loved ones, and trying to use social media to help spread whatever awareness and genuine information that I can,” he says.

In a span of six years, Shroff has managed to garner quite a few successful films to his credit, and therefore, must feel the pressure of always getting it right in terms of everything to sustain the ‘bankable’ tag. However, he says, “When people look up to you for the work you do, it is important to be mindful of your actions. If your conscience is in the right place then you wouldn’t have to constantly worry about being right. At the same time, these expectations from my fans are a motivation to keep working harder.”

Coming back to his last release, though Baaghi 3 is the highest day one earner of the year so far, couldn’t earn more because of the shutdown. Ask the actor for his reaction as this entire situation unfolded, and he says considering the crisis we are going through, it got enough love, and for him the safety of his fans was a bigger priority.

“I feel blessed and grateful that the film was accepted and loved by the masses and audiences,” Shroff tells us, “Considering we were and still are going through a world crisis, our audiences came out in large numbers until the theatres shut down. That really got me overwhelmed with their love for our film, but honestly at that point, for me, the safety of our citizens was my primary thought. I couldn’t think or process anything of the film’s box office because the virus was spreading all over and the film in my head had already taken a back seat as it was important that people stayed indoors and were safe.”

However, not glossing over his hope that the film could have earned more, he adds, “I am half disappointed because our hard work couldn’t reach it’s potential. However, I am satisfied because the bigger picture is the safety of our people and the government has made amazing decisions to follow that through. Let’s see, once the situation settles, perhaps we may re- release.”

Tiger Shroff on how short shooting schedule for Baaghi 3 left makers with little time for VFX work
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; March 6, 2020)

For an actor who runs, jumps and flips pretty much "24x7", Tiger Shroff admits that not much changes in his fitness training when prepping for films like War or Baaghi. "I don't have to tweak too much because being in shape [is not] a chore for me," says the actor ahead of the release of the third edition of Baaghi, today. Ahmed Khan's directorial venture was shot within one month, leaving the unit with little time for post-production work. "Hence, about 90 per cent of the scenes include live action. Also, we wanted to give viewers as real and powerful a visual as is possible, and hence [minimised] VFX work."

Selling the film as a man's battle with a nation, Baaghi 3 courted controversy when they decided to use Syria as the backdrop for the film. Employing dialogues that suggested Shroff's character would "wipe out your country from the map" didn't go down well with netizens, who were quick to call out the apathy, considering Syria's troubled history. But, Shroff says questions pertaining to the decision to depict Syria are "better left to the makers" to answer. On his part, he suggests it was vital to show his character as one who was set in a place far distanced from his comfort zone. "He's a boy from Agra, and suddenly finds himself in the middle of nowhere, looking for his brother. [He must battle] people who are twice as powerful as he is. You just have to look at it that way."

Meanwhile, only days ago, Shroff took to social media to announce the second edition of his debut offering, Heropanti. While scripting for Sajid Nadiadwala's project is currently underway, the actor says the offering is "diametrically opposite" from the Baaghi franchise. "The action is slick, and along the lines of [Hollywood series like] Mission Impossible and John Wick. It is action in suits, [amidst] skyscrapers and cities. It's of a different texture and geography."

Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 5, 2020)

BAAGHI 1: From the chase to the finish
The market chase sequence was tricky. We could not have too many rehearsals since we were shooting on the streets of Bangkok. We reached the location, figured out the obstacles and improvised there and then, deciding that I could run along that wall, jump from this point to that, manoeuvre my way through the bustling crowds without inconveniencing anyone, then, suddenly, spring an attack. It was literally action on the run. The climax threw another challenge —to reach the antagonist, martial arts expert Sudheer Babu at the top of the building, I had to take on opponents from different nationalities with their own specialised skills on each floor. With several fighters coming at me all at once, we had to choreograph the fight in such a way that they looked fast, clean and as graceful as possible. There was a lot of give-and-take with fighters as I had to anticipate their reactions to say, a certain kick of mine, and retaliate accordingly. And it was all happening on the spot!


BAAGHI 2: Sweating it out in Krabi
The biggest dare in this film was undoubtedly the climax because it was set in a jungle. We were shooting in the hot and humid Krabi and it got really sweaty and sticky. My fighting style also was a lot fiercer in Part 2, necessitating contact with the fighters while brandishing weapons, like guns and knives. For certain shots, I had to swing from a rope while balancing a heavy gun on my right arm and maintaining posture. For others, I had to go for the kill with a gun in each hand... Phew!


WAR: When Krrish met Baaghi…
My introduction sequence was two-and-a-half minutes of continuous fighting so I had to remember when to crash through a sheet of glass, how to fall and where to jump onto someone, pulling the chandelier after me. And all this was done in one single take. In the climax, I was fighting my hero, Hrithik (Roshan) sir, so the pressure mounted and how! It was literally Krrish vs Baaghi.

BAAGHI 3: Superman in Serbia
Every action sequence upped the ante. It got even scarier because we were doing everything live, with real weapons, tanks, helicopters and cars. I ran through 97-98 blasts; explosions happening behind me, on the sides and also in front of me. The wind made it more unpredictable as the flames could suddenly turn towards me. Plus, we were shooting in minus 5 degrees and I was running bare-bodied. The local Serbian crew, who were used to the sub-zero temperature and were still all bundled up, would look at me with awe, wondering if I was a man or a beast. It was truly a superhuman feat!

While we were filming, the adrenaline rush kept me going, but once I returned to my hotel room, I had absolutely no energy left. My team would put me on the bed and for an hour, I wouldn’t have the strength to move a muscle. Then, somehow, I would roll into the bathroom, take a hot water shower and then, go in for physiotherapy every day, before calling it a night. It was immense hard work and sheer torture because we were racing against time. We shot 150 days of action in just 70.

Tiger Shroff admits that he would like to keep the Baaghi franchise, which is in its third instalment, going till his legs don’t give up on him; reveals that he is ready to flag off the Heropanti sequel, too
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 28, 2020)

In your upcoming film, Baaghi 3, we see you performing almost superhuman feats. Tell us something you’ve done off camera which in your mind is heroic?
I guess buying a house for my parents. They’ve given me the best childhood and this is my small way of giving something back. My mother (Ayesha Shroff) always wanted a house in her name, so I bought this for her... Dad (Jackie Shroff) too. My dreams are her dreams, and I am focused on my work, being successful in my career and sustaining it. She is my motivation, my inspiration. I push myself so hard to make her happy, proud and secure.

Any other dreams?
So many… My dad likes to farm, he likes land and nature. I’d like to buy him something along those lines someday. He also enjoys cars. At the peak of his superstardom, he would collect them. Of course, he would also tell us, “Never do this, I made a big mistake.” He works so hard, I want to get him things he loves.

Growing up, is there something your dad brought home especially for you that remains precious?
I never asked my parents for anything, I wasn’t a materialistic child, but whenever I didn’t want to go to school, I’d wake up early, cuddle up against dad and when mom tried to pull me out of bed, I’d hold him tighter. He would stand up for me, cajole mom to let me stay at home, saying, “Chhod na, rehne de bachche ko, nahin jaana hai usko.” Thanks to him, I got away with a lot of things. Whenever I got into trouble, I’d run to him. He’d always save me. He was my hero, he still is.

What are your earliest memories of your dad’s film, Hero?
The bike race, for some reason, and his introduction scene, which I thought was very cool, almost heroic! And yes, the songs too, particularly “Pyaar Karne Wale Kabhi Darte Nahin” which has stayed with me. I started watching Hero when I was around four years old. I’m still watching it.

And what was your dad’s first reaction to your first film, Heropanti?
He doesn’t react much, and expresses himself in a few words. “Chal ho gaya, exam pass, bindaas!”

You’ve grown in stature since your first film, become a bigger star, but your lifestyle, passion and professionalism hasn’t changed...
I’m so grateful people are accepting me and my work, year after year. My routine and lifestyle are co-related to whatever little I’ve achieved in my career so far. Why change what’s working for me?

But there must be something you would have liked to do had you not been such a disciplined actor...
I’m a foodie and wish I could binge on sweets every day, but unfortunately, only Sunday is a cheat day when I can eat everything, from pani puri and pizza to vada pav and ice-cream. Sab kuch mix match kar leta hoon.

Your dad was the hero of his generation, you are one too. Have things changed much?
In dad’s time, they were a lot more carefree, now there is increased responsibility to be a correct role model if you reach a position when kids aspire to be like you. It’s important to guide them—I won’t say the right way because who am I to judge what’s right or wrong—but in a way that helps them.

How often do you set goals for yourself?
Well, the long-term goals are permanent…

And they are?
To reach the standard of my idols, Michael Jackson and Bruce Lee, hone my craft, do things in a larger-than-life way and touch as many lives as possible. Every month, I set short-term goals, too, like lose or gain two-five kg, do some community service, learn an action skill or a dance move. I’d love to do a Broadway musical someday, a role which allows me to sing and dance. (Smiles) I sing very well in the shower.

Among your long-term goals, is there a plan to produce a film one day?
Sure, but it’d depend on the success of Baaghi 3.

Will the franchise go on and on?
Again, that would depend on how Part 3 fares. I’d like to play Ronnie till my legs don’t give up on me. All the action takes its toll, but as long as I have my youth and physicality, I’d like to be a baaghi.

You are taking on a country in Baaghi 3. What next? The universe?
(Laughs) There are a lot of memes going around that it will be Baaghi 4 vs Aliens and Baaghi 5 vs the Universe. You never know…

Your last film, with Hrithik Roshan, was the top grosser of 2019. How do you react to such success?
Honestly, the business didn’t matter. For me, War was my time with my hero, Hrithik Roshan. I got to spend time with a man I have always looked up to and modeled myself on... Going to the gym with him, watching him train, perform his scenes, give me feedback on mine, tell me how to say a particular line, pat me after a shot, all that will stay with me all my life. He’s been my hero since I saw Krrish, when I was 12 or 13. Every kid of my generation was a Krrish fan, and to this day, watching him transform on screen, I am convinced he is a real-life superhero.

Every guy enjoys having a gorgeous woman on his arm and you have one of the most coveted in the country, Disha Patani. What’s the equation like between you two?
We have a lot in common and that’s why we get along well. I have very few friends in the industry. There’s Danny uncle’s (Denzongpa) son Rinzing, who is about to be launched soon, and Ranjit sir’s son Jeeva. They are my childhood friends. Disha and I met during Baaghi and since we have similar interests and can laugh over silly things, we hang out together. She is very easy-going, no tantrums. (Smiles) We go out for lunch every now and then and get clicked together.

You go out with a guy and he’s a friend while a girl becomes a good friend…
(Clicking his fingers) Yeah, that’s the mentality here. It’s not a problem, really.

Is romance on screen more difficult than action?
Nothing’s more difficult than action. It doesn’t hurt to be romantic, action hurts.

When is Siddharth Anand’s Rambo remake happening?
Hopefully, by the end of the year. I’m also doing the sequel to my first film, Heropanti, with my mentor Sajid sir (Nadiadwala, producer) and Baaghi 2 and 3 director Ahmed sir (Khan), and that’s about it.

How is it that after a huge hit last year, you haven’t signed half a dozen films?
I’m in no hurry. A film takes a lot out of me so I enjoy my downtime. I’m not competing with anybody. I need to pace myself and last as long as I can. My race is with myself.

Following up War with another actioner in Baaghi 3, Tiger Shroff discusses playing to his strengths in the 'competitive' industry
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 11, 2019)

While War remains unstoppable at the box office, Tiger Shroff is already clocking in long hours, shooting for Baaghi 3. The Ahmed Khan-directed film is a passion project for the actor who owes his thriving career to the franchise's long-standing popularity. Shroff is happy to be back on home turf with action spectacles like War and Baaghi 3.

"My audience doesn't take my experimentation well. Right after Baaghi 2 [2018], I was seen being bullied by college kids in Student Of The Year 2. That wasn't appreciated by my fans. SOTY 2 recovered the money but didn't fare as well as we had hoped for," says the young star, aware that audience's expectations are sky-high from Baaghi 3. "I had a lot of feedback [on the script]. Ahmed sir [director] and the producer [Sajid Nadiadwala] were kind enough to hear my suggestions."

Detractors may argue that Shroff, with his multiple action offerings, uses the genre as a safety net. But the actor views it differently. "It's competitive these days. You have to exploit your strengths to the maximum. I can't be compared to anyone else in my generation in the genre of films that I do." Quiz him if he worries about being pigeon-holed at a time when his peers are fearlessly experimenting, and he candidly says, "I would never dare to compete with Varun Dhawan or Ranveer Singh. I can't do comedy like them. So, it's fair to say that main apni jagah theek hoon. I am choosing roles that display my action abilities."

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; September 28, 2019)

After his last outing in the teenybopper romance, Student Of The Year 2, Tiger Shroff is back to his forte —  action — with War. Not only that, for the first time, he shares screen space with his idol, Hrithik Roshan, who incidentally plays his mentor in the film. “It was a learning experience. This was as close to him as I could possibly get,” exults the Heropanti hero. Here, he tells us why action is his favourite genre, working with the Super 30 star and how he tried to impress him between the shots.

ACTION HAS GIVEN ME IDENTITY
Tiger, who has created a niche for himself as the action hero with the Baaghi franchise, says it is his favourite genre. “I am blessed that action has given me an identity —  I get to reach out to a lot more people. The audiences have accepted me because of this genre, so I’m really lucky filmmakers are choosing me to do action roles,” he smiles.

SLEEK AND URBAN
The 29-year-old says that whether it’s Baaghi or any other action film that he’s done, the characters he played were massy with punchlines. “War also has action that will appeal to the masses, but it’s sleek, cool, urban and international. I haven’t dressed or performed like this in any of my films earlier. My character is raw, real and vulnerable,” he elaborates. 

HUGE CANVAS
Comparing his face-off with Hrithik to Hollywood films, Tiger says that it’s like Mission Impossible Vs James Bond or Superman Vs Batman. “It’s the biggest battle. Director Siddharth Anand and the producers have gone all out filming at exotic locations. An entire bridge was shut down to film a chase sequence where I’m running after Hrithik sir, we also shot on icebergs in Finland. We have fought on land, ice and air, it will be a visual spectacle for the audiences,” he enthuses. 

DANCING THROUGH EVERY FIGHT
Talking about his prep, the SOTY 2 actor tells us he and Hrithik had good rehearsal time before major action set pieces. “Both of us are dancers, we know each other’s rhythms and bodies. Through every fight we were sort of dancing with each other — it was so well-coordinated. We had a great give-and-take relationship. I couldn’t have asked for a better dance partner/action hero,” smiles Tiger.

CHALLENGE WORKING WITH MY HERO
Recalling the day he was approached for the film, Tiger says, “When Adi sir (Aditya Chopra) and Sid sir offered me the role, I was jumping inside but couldn’t show my excitement at getting an opportunity to work with my hero. Even when we started shooting, I couldn’t believe it. I was also under a lot of pressure because the reason I do what I do was in front of me and I had to perform and try to match him scene-by-scene. For me, that was the challenge, and at the same time exciting,” he says.

HRITHIK IS A GIVING ACTOR
Tiger can’t contain his excitement at working with his hero. “I watched how he works, how much attention he gives to details for every shot. Now, I realise why he is so perfect in everything. He gave me ideas to better the film or my character, which was very sweet of him. He used to direct me in some shots. I am grateful that he is such a giving actor to even his co-actors,” he gushes.

NO INSECURITIES
While ego hassles, insecurities and fights are associated with two-hero films, Tiger says in their case there was no room for it. “Hrithik sir is already an established hero. He is at another level and there wouldn’t be any sense of insecurity. I have been inspired by him my whole life, ever since I was in school. For me, standing in the same frame as him was a victory in itself,” he clarifies.

MATCHING STEPS WITH THE DANCING SENSATION
Recently, the makers released the song Jai Jai Shivshankar, which has the two actors dancing to it, and Tiger says shaking a leg with Hrithik was a dream come true. “I learnt dancing by watching his songs when I was younger. Every night, I used to watch one of his songs before going to sleep and by next morning, I would get his steps, though not to his perfection. As I said, I used to idolise him and his dance especially,” he shares. So much so that in between shots, Tiger would perform on the Kaabil hero’s old songs. I would do a step and ask him to guess the track! This way I performed all his songs,” the actor laughs.

WILL JUMP AT WAR 2
Post War, Tiger has Baaghi 3 and Rambo in the pipeline. While he will start shooting for the third instalment of Baaghi soon, Rambo will go on the floors in March next year. Ask him if he is open to doing any more multi-hero films and he says, “It depends on the script. But, if there is a War 2 happening, I will jump at it.”

Even as they play rivals in War, Tiger Shroff recounts how he trained in dance by aping screen idol, now co-star Hrithik Roshan
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 27, 2019)

"We are at war on and off screen," grins Tiger Shroff, referring to the past fortnight that has seen War co-star Hrithik Roshan and him wearing t-shirts mocking each other. Their equation be what it may in the Siddharth Anand-directed actioner, it's a different story altogether when the camera is not rolling. "I have looked up to him all my life. My equation with him is that of a guru and shishya," gushes Shroff, turning into a fanboy.

The actor discusses that shooting with his childhood idol turned out to be a learning experience, just as he had imagined. "He is an extremist who pushes himself to levels that are unheard of. Besides being a giving actor, Hrithik also has the mind of a director. He thinks of the film in totality. I was lucky to be directed by him in a few scenes as well."

Ask him if he remembers his first meeting with the actor, and he harks back to 2006 when Roshan was a superstar, and he, a star-struck 14-year-old. "A mutual friend took me over to his place to work out at his gym. He was happy to see me because he had known me since King Uncle [1993] — he was an assistant director on the film, and my dad [Jackie Shroff] featured in it. I have little recollection of having met him then because I was a toddler. Our next meeting was at an awards show where he gave me the Best Debutant award. We even danced together on the stage."

A shared love for fitness and dance and an inclination for action-oriented roles bind the two together. Ask if the similarities are coincidental, and Shroff admits that it has been a studied move on his part. "Subconsciously, I made decisions [that made me similar to him]. For instance, I knew I wanted to dance like him. So, I used to watch one song of Hrithik every night before sleeping. I would go to sleep thinking of the steps. The next morning, I would recreate those moves. That was my training."

Citing lackadaisical responses to dramas like SOTY 2, Tiger Shroff on finding a safe haven in actioners like the upcoming War
MID-DAY (September 4, 2019)

Given that it features two of the biggest action stars — Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff — that Bollywood has seen, War has rightfully amassed abundant attention from cinephiles. But, reduce the trailer to the way it is seen, and it can be argued that for Shroff, this is yet another long chase sequence spanning exotic locales, and starring chiselled torsos and bikini bottoms. He has often stated that he isn't perturbed with the notion of being pigeon-holed. He reiterates in the upcoming September edition of GQ India that being typecast is just another way of finding his identity.

"You think of Shah Rukh sir [Khan], [and] think [he's the] 'Romance King'. You [look at] Salman Khan, [and] think 'Bhaijaan'. Each one of these guys has a label. That's important in an industry that has so much competition. Every time I do something offbeat, [the audience has] not been as kind, to me. [Consider] A Flying Jatt or Student Of The Year [SOTY] 2. In A Flying Jatt, I was a bumbling superhero, afraid of heights, fights and of using powers. In SOTY 2, I was a college guy getting bullied. It didn't go down well with my audience. I don't think they could digest me coming from Baaghi 2 to being beaten up by college students."

In the early years of his career, the baggage of his father's stardom weighed on him just as heavily as Shroff senior's series of erratic financial decisions. In 2002, his mother's production, Boom, leaked on the Internet before its theatrical release. The film tanked. Shroff was 11 at the time, old enough to understand what was going on. "I remember how our furniture was sold off, one by one. Things I'd grown up seeing around us started disappearing. Then my bed went. I started to sleep on the floor. It was the worst feeling of my life." The uncertainty of those years was a powerful motivator. It's one of the reasons he won't experiment much. He'd rather do what he knows, and do it better than anyone else.

Tiger on fronting campus caper Student Of The Year 2 after string of action movies
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; May 6, 2019)

In his five years in the industry, Tiger Shroff has quickly earned the image of an action star, courtesy his popular Baaghi franchise. Far from feeling pigeon-holed, the actor, on several occasions, has expressed how he considers himself fortunate to have created a mark. But he says that his next, Student Of The Year 2 (SOTY 2), is a deliberate effort to step out of his home turf.

“It will be nice to strip me off my powers,” smiles Shroff, well aware that he enjoys an advantage in his unmatched dancing and action skills. “In SOTY 2, I will be seen as a regular boy for a change. I will bleed when someone punches me and cry when someone bullies me. So, the idea was to break the stereotype that I am a one-man army and a killing machine, which has been my image in most previous outings.”

Even though SOTY 2 — like its first instalment featuring Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and Sidharth Malhotra — is a light-hearted campus caper, Shroff states that it has been peppered with a few action scenes to appease his fans. “My primary audience are the single-screen audience and kids. They love to see me do action and dance. I can’t detach from it completely. So, Punit [Malhotra, director] had to tailor certain things in the script, keeping my fans in mind.”

As he shoulders the film that marks the Bollywood debut of Tara Sutaria and Ananya Panday, the actor admits the pressure of box-office results weighs heavy on him. “I am completely alien to this world. It is something that Varun, Sidharth and Alia started with, and made successful. I am taking their legacy forward with Tara and Ananya. I surrendered myself completely to my director and producer. Unlike the Baaghi franchise, this isn’t my home ground. My last film [Baaghi 2] collected Rs 165 crore, so I am feeling the pressure of box-office numbers.”

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; May 5, 2019)

If you think Tiger Shroff is a shy guy, a meeting with him will dispel that myth. He is evidently more bindaas and confident about his place in the industry today. Headlining the cast of Student Of The Year 2 (SOTY 2), Jackie Shroff’s cub seems to be extremely self-assured about his future projects, starting with the campus romance, which he hopes his young fans will lap up. Excerpts from our chat with the actor:

Reportedly, you’ve never attended college, so we can’t ask you how it felt to go back to the classroom. So, how was it going to college for the first time in Student Of The Year 2?
It was a lot of fun to go to a college, which was so fancy — it has sports, dance, drama and little studies. It’s a dream college where I had a lot of fun because I romanced, danced and there was so much competition with peers. Also, we had access to great facilities. Now, who doesn’t want a college like that? Der aaye, durust aaye…

In a recent conversation, your father, Jackie Shroff, had expressed his happiness over the fact that you finally have a girl in your life (reportedly Disha Patani). He had also said that he has given you a ‘tichki’ to stay within socially permissible limits with her. What do you say to that?
(Blushes) Yaar, I don’t know what to say to this. Dad is one of a kind. His one-liners have always put me in a spot. He was always worried that his son was perpetually thinking of work and is completely non-social. He was relieved and excited that I have a bunch of friends now, and that one of them is a girl, who hangs out very often with me. His thought bubble must have been, ‘Mera ladka finally kuch normal cheezein bhi kar raha hai.’ At my age, dad had so many friends, an active social life and many girlfriends. I’m unlike him because I’ve taken after my mother.

Your father also takes great pride in saying that these days he is known as Tiger Shroff ka baap…
(Cuts in) He’s being modest and humble. I have probably done something for people at times to address him as my father and not as the star that he is even today. Maybe it’s the younger generation, the kids and the college-going teenagers that he’s referring to. Probably, they don’t know his work as much as they know mine. A lot of people from the previous generation walk up to me and say, ‘Yaar, I am a huge fan of your dad. He’s so hot, so handsome, such a good actor…’ The list of compliments is endless. When these people walk up to me, I secretly hope that they’re coming to compliment me or ask for my autograph. Often, they turn out to be dad’s fans, who have followed his career since he debuted with Hero.

Matching your dad’s popularity and status must be a tall order…
It is! I have faced this crisis from the time I got into films. In the last few years, I guess I have managed to pull myself out of his towering shadow and prove that I am not just his beta.

I’m very proud to be his son, but I’ve also somewhat made him proud to be Tiger ka baap. I have worked very hard to achieve that. With just a few films behind me, when people address him as my father, I am forced to believe that the tide is changing, and maybe, I am on the right track.

While there is a lot of anticipation about Ananya Panday and Tara Sutaria’s debut, the film faced a lot of trolling after the trailer was launched. Did you anticipate it?
For a film like this, what do you expect? We’re pretty much sitting ducks in this case. We’re very clear that ours is not a preachy film; it’s for people to come and enjoy. It’s SOTY — if you’re expecting some vishesh tippani from us, then you’re in the wrong place. Everyone, who’s been trolling the film and even those who haven’t, will be pleasantly surprised with the world that exists in SOTY 2. It’s not as superficial as it seems to be. It looks glossy, but there is another side to it that I can’t reveal just yet. If someone has watched Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, they will feel a sense of déjà vu. You can place a lot of elements from that movie here.

The films you do invariably play on your skills as an action star. Though they might look exciting on screen, even with all the training, when you are actually performing stunts in front of the camera, it’s no mean feat.
Those stunts can actually be life-threatening, if not done with the right kind of training and precision. That’s one of the reasons why I never tell my parents that I will be shooting an action scene on a said day. Dad and mom keep thinking about it all day, which I don’t like. Of course, when they see it on screen, they’re amazed about how I did it. The camera enhances everything, including action scenes. My parents tell me, ‘Tune bola nahi you’re doing this. Now, don’t put your life at risk again.’ I get a high and kick when I perform these stunts. When it’s appreciated on the set, and eventually, in the theatres, I feel on top of the world. I grew up watching larger than life heroes like Jackie Chan. When I look back at the films I’ve done, I want to believe life comes a full circle if you really work at it.

In five years since your debut in Heropanti,you’ve done a lot of dance and action. In fact, you have emerged as Bollywood’s action star. In the bargain, you haven’t been given parts that can showcase your acting abilities as much. Do you regret that?
Action and dance are a part of my identity. I craved for one for so long, so now that I have one, why would I want to shed it? There is so much talent and competition around me. How does one stand out? I think my skill-set gives me that uniqueness that helps me find my own space. I’m blessed to have an identity so early on in my career. There’s a reason why you’d watch a Sylvester Stallone film, a Jackie Chan film or videos of Michael Jackson’s concerts. While they were good at a lot of things, people turned to them for some very specific set of skills, which everybody did not have. My films are not limited to just kicks and punches. Baaghi 2 didn’t scale those heights just because I did some action scenes. It had an emotional story in which my character went all out for his loved ones. If you only want to see me doing action, you can go to my Instagram page. No film works without a script and performances.

SOTY 2 is the second franchise film you’ve become a part of. Your last release, Baaghi 2, belongs to a successful franchise, too. So, when you are a part of successful franchise films, is the pressure more to deliver a hit film every time?
I had never thought I’d see a box office success like Baaghi 2 so early in my career. SOTY is Karan Johar’s baby and the legacy has to live on. It feels amazing to be a part of all this. I work with a sense of responsibility. The pressure to deliver a better product is on the entire team that backs the film. I just do what I am told to. The day an actor starts performing under pressure, he’s had it. Acting is not rocket science; it means acting mat karo. The moment you start hamming in front of the camera, or make it too evident that you’re acting, people can see through it. They know yeh overacting kar raha hai. The more sincere and genuine you are, the lesser the need to make an effort to register your emotions. In Hollywood movies, it’s just a profile shot that speaks loud and clear, and silences say so much. I am currently working with Hrithik Roshan, who makes even the most difficult things seem effortless.

You are working with two newcomers, Ananya and Tara. On a recent chat show, they came across as confident and savvy, were they like that on the sets as well?
I was technically one of the most experienced actors in the cast, but I didn’t get a chance to feel that. Ananya and Tara don’t come across as newcomers at all. They are bindaas before the camera. They are spot on with their lines and prepared for everything. Their confidence will make a lot of people sit up and take note. I’d just say watch out for these students!

Tiger Shroff on the genesis of his screen alter egos, feeling like an outsider on the sets of the SOTY sequel and why he would like to be paired opposite Madhuri Dixit
Nishi Tiwari (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 4, 2019)

Tiger Shroff doesn’t talk much. Questions pertaining to the status of upcoming projects, him entering a franchise mid-way, and his father Jackie Shroff’s second innings at the movies are evaded with a vague “Sorry, I can’t talk about this right now”, “It’s always fun with a film like Student Of The Year”, and “I’ve always been proud of him.”

When he does open up, all bets are off, especially while revisiting his childhood and a dream that he gets to live out as an adult. It began when Tiger was four. While flipping through channels with his father one day, a chance encounter with Bruce Lee’s Enter The Dragon became his own rite of passage. “I was like, ‘Man, I want to be like him,’ After that, my parents enrolled me in a karate class and the rest is history,” he says, recounting his initiation into Mixed Martial Arts.

While it would go on to facilitate a successful career as an action star for the 29-year-old actor, Tiger reveals that it was the idea of a hero that pulled him in. “I always aspired to do heroic things, be it superheroes or larger-than-life characters like Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan. I have always wanted to be the stereotypical hero… Stand on top of a building or a mountain, face a helicopter or an army of baddies. These visuals keep flashing in my head. For example, if a person or a country is in danger, I want to be their last hope. That’s the kind of a vibe I look at and that’s what motivates me and really floats my boat,” he states in a matter-of-fact manner.

While he has successfully infused this concept into his screen alter egos who are outspoken and characteristically swoop in to save the day, Tiger has often described himself as a shy guy who leads a disciplined life. Ask him if the lines between the real and the reel ever blur, and he considers the question for a moment. “I try to live as clean and as good a life as possible, and I try to help as many people as I can along the way… At least as much as is within my power, so yeah, you can say that (it happens),” he says.

The actor who, along with debutantes Ananya Panday and Tara Sutaria, has taken over from Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and Sidharth Malhotra in Student Of The Year 2, asserts that his priorities in life have been crystal clear ever since he was a student in school. “I was only focused on sports and didn’t pay much attention to studies. I used to go to school only to play sports. Ever since I was a child, I have been naturally gifted physically so every sports day, or at sports tournaments, I would always shine over my classmates. That’s something that got me a lot of popularity among my friends as well,”

Tiger reveals. After delivering hits with the likes of Sabbir Khan and Ahmed Khan, the actor is appearing in a Karan Johar production for the first time. Does it feel like a personal milestone? “It’s a superb feeling, it’s an amazing production house. Karan and Punit (Malhotra, director) are lovely people and so easy to work with. They are so efficient, it is inspiring to be around them. And I love the visuals they conjure up. Everything is so beautiful, and every frame is so full of colour,” the actor gushes.

But surely, it must be a different feeling to take over a franchise midway? “Well yes, I am an outsider and I feel like I am in alien territory,” he acknowledges, but is quick to add that he was lucky that his director made him fit in easily. “SOTY is Karan sir’s baby franchise and the expectations drove me to work hard. This is not my franchise like Baaghi, which is home ground for me. There is not much pressure to perform there but here I have big shoes to fill as well. The first film launched three stars. I must make sure that I don’t let their fans down,” he says.

While on SOTY 2, Tiger acknowledges that it is a departure from the hi-octane actioners that dominate his portfolio. “This one’s more of a love triangle with sports as the backdrop. There’s competition, dance, masala… It’s not like I am playing superman here, I also get bullied in college,” he reasons, noting that he’s done a “light” film after a long time. What would be a heavy film then, one wonders, and he explains, “It is something that is heavy on action and is very emotional… Or something like that. This (SOTY 2) is a fun film. It has emotions, but nobody is dying or anything.”

He may be kicked about the film but is in no mood to explore other genres. “Right now, I am very happy doing what I am doing, I am happy with my line-up currently,”

he insists. Speaking of upcoming projects, buzz is, the third instalment of Baaghi will have the climax set in a desert. “I don’t know about that. I haven’t had a narration yet,” Tiger says, suddenly short of words again. Mirror had earlier reported (September 20, 2018) that the actor is set to make his Hollywood debut with a Lawrence Kasanoff production. Tiger informs briefly that he is still in talks and hasn’t signed anything yet. And what’s the status on Hrithik v/s Tiger? “I have only one action sequence and a song remaining to do with Hrithik sir. There’s a lot of speculation going on about the story and stuff but none of it is true. Once the teaser is out you will get an idea,” he shares.

It’s the advent of unlikely screen pairings. While Disha Patani is opposite Salman Khan in Bharat, the latter will be seen romancing Alia Bhatt in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Inshallah. Ask Tiger who would be his unlikely co-star of choice, and he picks Madhuri Dixit. An incredulous reaction is met with a quip: “You said unlikely.” And in quite an out-of-character manoeuvre, Tiger uses semantics to get the better of you.

Meena Iyer (DNA; May 2, 2019)

I have observed Tiger Shroff from afar and close. On all occasions, he has been polite but distant. I have often wondered whether one can shake him up a bit, in an attempt to get him to drop his guard. But I let that thought pass. If someone like Karan Johar has failed to make the boy ‘open up’, I’m unlikely to. However, meeting him face-to-face definitely brings me closer to him. At the end of a 15-minute conversation, I know that Tiger will always keep his guard on. He lives with his aspirations, goals and beliefs. And, he honestly doesn’t care whether the media buys into his ideology or not. This baaghi (rebel) knows his cause and no one can come in the way of him and his ultimate goal! Excerpts from a chat with him…

I’m told you don’t bother with competition. You’re rather Zen-like in your approach towards your work.
I am a race horse. I have huge goals and dreams. I do not have time to spend my energy looking left or right. There is no time for detours (read as, see what others are doing) because I have to look straight ahead at the finishing line.

Please share some of your immediate goals...
While growing up, I always looked up to Michael Jackson. Every person in every country, every girl, every boy in the gully knows him. I also admired Jackie Chan, Sylvester Stallone and Bruce Lee. Their stories are so awe-inspiring. These guys have attained great heights in their respective careers.  I know until I have reached such heights, I am not going to stop. There has to be an answer, some result to all the work which I put in every single day.

You sound obsessed…
To repeat myself, I have big dreams and big goals to achieve. Since I am constantly living with these thoughts, people may think, ‘Arrey, yeh toh bada introverted ladka hai,’ ‘anti-social hai.’ However, I must tell you that there is a reason behind all this.

Would you say you are anti-social?
Yes, I am anti-social because I’m work-oriented and obsessed with my goals.

How much more can you do with your dancing and fighting?
Well, one can change the environment in which it’s done. There is a trick in the way you approach things. Film on film, you depend on your director’s vision; you always take into consideration what your action-director or choreographer (if it involves dance) has in mind for you.

There are a million things you can do when you physically express yourself. With the help of technology, you can make things appear more dynamic each time. That is the idea. To constantly aspire to do something different.

Will dynamism do it every time?
No, no. You haven’t got what I’m trying to say. There has to be an emotional drive. There has to be incentive for the character to do what he is doing. Like in Student Of The Year 2, my character is initially doing what he is for the love of his life. Later, he ends up doing it for himself and follows his dream.

Anyway, coming back to the initial part of your question, there has to be a story during the course of which I do some action and dancing. It cannot just be — arre, this one is a Tiger Shroff film, so it will be a showreel of action and dance. I have to play the hero with a purpose whether it’s saving the heroine, fighting for my country or taking on the baddies. These are very broad strokes that I am painting, but unless there is purpose, my stunts will not have relevance. There has to be a motivation to everything that I do on screen.

Your contemporaries, Ranveer Singh and Varun Dhawan, have high regard for you. They think you stand out because you have some unique skill sets like your brand of action and dancing style…
Let me start this answer by saying — I hold Varun and Ranveer in the highest regard too. Not in my wildest dreams can I attempt what they do; they are so daring in their experiments. That is what makes them special and unique in their work. They are both super-successful in their own right.

Coming back to me, I am pretty clear about the path I want to take. Some people may even think that I am stereotyped in every role. Honestly, they are missing the bigger picture. I want to be this guy who has this identity, not just here, but across the world for his ability to do a certain thing in the best possible way. Whether it is my action, my dance or whatever else it is, I want to reach world-class standards. Not because I want to be able to brag about it or discuss it with you, but because I genuinely believe in pushing my limits.



So many big filmmakers have sought you out. Do you have a wish list of whom you would like to work with?
No, I have no such wish list. I’m not greedy. I believe in destiny and good energies. Frankly, I am going with the flow because I am enjoying where it is taking me.

How was it serenading two newcomers — Tara Sutaria and Ananya Panday — on screen?
Well, they weren’t newcomers at all. Ananya and Tara were so confident and knew so much about the craft. They were so self-aware that I didn’t feel even once they were debutantes. Both the girls were so well prepared. I must credit Punit (Malhotra) sir and Karan (Johar) sir for the way they presented them on set. They were saying their lines like a conversation and I was like, ‘Wow!’”

However, everyone joked saying you were the biggest diva on set.
Oh, they are just trying to ruin my reputation (laughs).

Tell us more about Alia Bhatt, who has danced with you in the Hook Up Song. 
I was expecting something else and something totally different happened. When I was doing the song with Alia, I didn’t even think so much about the dance. I just wanted her and me to look good together as a pair. I wanted both of us to complement each other. There were no attempts to outshine each other. The feedback on the song has been quite positive, so I am happy. It is inspiring to be around Alia. Despite all the success she has had and the accolades she has won, she is so hardworking.

Is there another side to you?
No, I’m one-dimensional.

How come your father’s (Jackie Shroff) ‘naughty’ side didn’t rub off on you?
I am more like momma (Ayesha Shroff). My sister, Krishna is more like my dad. Dad is so bindaas. He doesn’t care about what people think. I am uptight and focussed. My father was born a star. On the other hand, I had to work hard to get out of his shadow and make my own identity. I didn’t want to just be —  Jackie Shroff ka beta.

You came into your own quickly enough.
Yes, I am grateful for the opportunities. I am happy to be where I am (touch wood)!

Is Disha Patani the only person who gets to see you unwind? We only see this work-oriented guy.
Disha is a friend who has been a part of my close circle for a long time. So, she interacts more with me.

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; February 23, 2019)

Tiger Shroff has admittedly been a Hrithik Roshan fan. In fact, he has revealed how he has closely followed the senior superstar’s filmography and wants to have a similar one himself. So, it was a dream come true for the actor when he was cast alongside Hrithik in Siddharth Anand’s next. Tentatively titled Hrithik vs Tiger, the Yash Raj Films production will see the Kaabil actor and the Baaghi 3 hero go against each other. We caught up with Tiger who spoke about working with his screen idol. Excerpts...

What was your first reaction when you were told that you would be doing a film with Hrithik?
Hrithik sir has been a real-life superhero for me since I was a kid. When I was approached for this film and told that he would also star in it, my heart started racing. I was ecstatic that I would finally be sharing screen space with him. But at the same time, I was scared because I kept asking myself, ‘Should I be doing it at all? Is it right to go up against someone like him who’s a Demigod superstar?’ I was sure nobody will look at me.

How has the shoot been so far?
It’s been a blessing. It’s a surreal feeling on the set every day. I hope I’m not irritating him. I’m like this kid in a candy store, I keep staring at him all the time. I want to tell people and the world that I’m with him (laughs). In fact, when somebody asks me what I’m doing now, I’m extremely cool about it and say, ‘Nothing much actually. I’m just doing a film with Hrithik Roshan.’ (Laughs)

What do you both bond and talk about? 
We have similar interests when it comes to dance, fitness or superheroes. I ask him a lot about his approach towards his career and films. I almost annoy him because no one can understand how much I have studied him. But I hope I’m not annoying him too much. In between shots, I show him his dance moves from the past and he guesses which tracks they are from.

There will be a dance-off between you and him in the movie. So, how are you prepping for it?
Right now, we haven’t thought about that. There are a lot of action scenes that we are currently shooting. We have left the songs for the end. So that will be like a celebration. We have kept that in the last schedule. But I’m already scared to match up to Hrithik sir.

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; December 27, 2018)

Tiger Shroff hit a home run with Baaghi 2, which raked in approximately Rs 161 crore at the Indian box office, and was among the top 5 grossers of 2018. With Baaghi 3 already announced and the action star being signed on by two big production houses (Yash Raj Films and Dharma Productions), he is the potential superstar. Here, Tiger talks about the year that was and why it’s been his best so far.

How would you describe 2018?
My best year! I’m extremely grateful. I couldn’t have asked for a better one. Everything that transpired, especially in terms of my career, makes me really happy. The way Baaghi 2 worked at the box office and the appreciation it received was tremendous.

You’re a bonafide action star. Still, how difficult is it for you to amp it up every time?
It’s quite difficult. But it’s been my dream to be an action hero and a larger-than-life star ever since I was a child, so, I’m not complaining. Also, it wouldn’t be fun any other way. If it were easy, anybody could have done it. The challenge also makes it worthwhile, especially when you are appreciated.

Has the audience started giving more respect to action films now?
People are getting exposed to a number of international films and they are doing phenomenally well at the box office, even in India, whether Mission Impossible or Avengers. I’m not comparing our films to theirs, but people are acknowledging our hard work and the scale, which is empowering for us artistes. We have seen films like Baaghi 2, Satyameva Jayate, Tiger Zinda Hai, Baahubali and Padmaavat working really well. If done well, with the right emotional intent on a beautiful canvas, the audience likes it. It’s that simple.

Do you think sticking to the action genre works to your disadvantage?
It’s a blessing that I’ve been accepted in this genre. Action has given me an identity. At public events or at work, people want me to do something impromptu on stage and talk about stunts. This motivates me to do more and give back to them what they have accepted me for.

A Flying Jatt and Munna Michael didn’t fare well at the box office. Did that make Baaghi 2’s success taste sweeter?
You’re right. Because it came after two films that, although really dear to me, didn’t work, it made the victory so much sweeter. It was long overdue for my family, me and everyone who worked hard on this film. It made me feel on top of the world.

Were you dejected in that phase?
I was really upset. The work I had put into my films and craft required a lot of physical and mental labour. It took a toll on the body, so, it was disheartening when the films didn’t work. I felt dejected and thought about it every night before I slept. However, I turned them into my strengths and if I ever failed to give a certain shot, I’d always think about those times. That sort of drove me beyond my limits. I’m grateful to have learnt this early on. I’ve tasted success at the beginning of my career and seen the other side as well. I wouldn’t call the movies failures because they have made me stronger and this is one of the reasons why Baaghi 2 was successful.

Would you call yourself the potential superstar from the younger generation?
I don’t know what to say. Superstars for me are people who I’ve grown up watching, like Hrithik (Roshan) sir, Akshay (Kumar) sir or the Khans — Salman sir, Shah Rukh sir and Aamir sir. So, I can’t call myself that yet. I’m just four-five films old and have a long way to go. I just feel blessed that people have at least accepted me.

Is there pressure on you to repeat the success in Baaghi 3?
There are expectations for sure. Baaghi 3 has been going back and forth with ideas and scripts. Ahmed (Khan) sir and Sajid (Nadiadwala) sir have been working day and night on so many stories and we have finally cracked one after six months. Ever since we launched the trailer of Baaghi 2, we have been working on Baaghi 3. So, you can imagine how long it has been. Then, since the film succeeded like it did, it’s double the pressure. We can’t be complacent or let this success go to our heads. We have to work twice as hard to deliver better.

The prep for Baaghi 3 must be gruelling...
I leave that to the filmmakers and completely surrender myself to them, as I did for Baaghi 2. I’m not the one to argue or decide on anything. I just do whatever I’m asked to.

Big banners such as Yash Raj Films and Dharma Productions have signed you on. Does that give you more confidence?
It’s truly a blessing. I give the credit to my stars and family. I feel like I’m getting a lot and don’t know how to take it. I want to feel worthy, work hard to not let anybody down and see everyone around me happy. I think I’m doing a pretty good job of that. I’m taking each day as it comes and trying to get better at something. That’s the mission.

Tiger Shroff on SOTY 2, plans for Baaghi 3 and why working with Hrithik Roshan gave him goosebumps
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 25, 2018)

2018 was a career-defining year for Tiger Shroff who turned from a boy to a man on his way to breaking bones and some box-office records too. The action-packed Baaghi sequel which saw Jackie’s cub metamorphose into a macho army officer was the biggest opener of the year, the record broken only three months later when Salman Khan entered the race with the third instalment of the hit franchise. Tiger reveals that producer Sajid Nadiadwala had expected Baaghi 2 to take an opening of Rs 15 crore, the estimate upping as release day drew close. “When we woke up to learn that it had surpassed all our expectations to collect Rs 25 crore on day one, everyone was over the moon,” Tiger reminisces with a laugh, adding that his team still can’t believe that the thriller is among the year’s top five hits.

Quiz him on what he looks for in a film and Tiger informs that his team has done some research and learnt that his films work better in the B and C centres (small town and interiors). “So, when giving the nod to a script, I keep that audience in mind,” he explains.

Sajid Nadiadwala recently announced Baaghi 3 with Tiger continuing to spearhead the franchise. When asked if he feels the pressure of expectations, the actor says blithely, “I’m blessed to have a strong producer like Sajid Nadiadwala and a director like Ahmed Khan who go all out in terms of scale. The USP of the franchise is action and not nonsensical stuff but action with an emotional core. And we want to get bigger and better with every film.”

A few weeks before the release of Part 2, Ahmed had told Mirror that multiple ideas were in place for the next instalment and it was now for Sajid to decide which one to go with. When asked to comment on the script selection process, the actor shrugs, “I don’t have much of a say in that. Sajid sir, Ahmed sir and the writers are working day and night to formulate the best route for Baaghi 3.”

Recently, Tiger wrapped up the first schedule of his yet untitled film with Hrithik Roshan, another actioner, and describes it as a surreal experience. “Seeing the two of us in the same frame gives me goosebumps. It’s a beautiful story with challenging characters written for both Hrithik sir and me and will be a mega treat,” he promises.

The 28-year-old actor goes on to admit that he has been crazy about maar dhaad flicks since he was a boy and it was his childhood dream to be accepted as an action hero. And now that he has broken into the genre, he would want to make his identity in it before experimenting in a new space. “It’s something that is working for me presently. After a certain age, I won’t be able to pull off the stunts that I am able to today. Since I have age on my side, I want to harness my physical prowess to my advantage,” he reasons.

Interestingly, Tiger shares a lot of inputs with his producers and directors when filming action sequences. “Usually I choreograph my own stunts. I share a lot of inputs with the directors, the final call is of course theirs. I am capable of a lot of things, so it is not difficult to give them variations in the action,” he beams proudly, saying be it a stunt or a dance step, he doesn’t stop practicing until it is perfect. “These things are movement-based and get better with practice.”

Apart from the Bollywood blood-sport, there is also a film with Lawrence Kasanoff, the producer of Mortal Kombat series, and Gulshan Grover’s son Sanjay, that is expected to mark Tiger’s Hollywood debut. Kasanoff was in India last month to meet the actor. “I haven’t signed on for the film yet, but I am in talks. It is too early to reveal more details,” he says.

Tiger will be seen next year in the Student of The Year sequel which he describes as “a completely alien territory”. Pointing out that one will see him in a completely different light in the campus drama which will introduce two new girls, Ananya Panday and Tara Sutaria, Tiger says about his role, “It’s like Superman has been stripped off his power. I’m the underdog in the film and so surrendered myself in this world to Karan Johar (producer) and Punit Malhotra’s (director) superior judgement,” he admits. “It was always a dream to do a high school film full of gloss and glamour, so, I am really looking forward to this one in the new year.”

As the senior actor among the trio, did he end up doling out advice? “I didn’t feel like a senior. Ananya and Tara came well prepared to the sets and they made me feel like I was working with two industry veterans,” he asserts.

Tiger doesn’t rule out the possibility of working with dad Jackie who will be seen in a true-life action-packed espionage thriller, RAW, in 2019. “You will see me work with my father the day we have the right script in place. However, we don’t discuss work at home as I like to keep my career independent from the family,” he says. If not an actor, what would he have been? “A football player,” reveals Tiger, who recently launched his own gym in Mumbai. When asked if he would launch someone he spots in the gym who has a spark of an actor, Tiger shoots back, “I am nobody to launch anyone at present because I am still struggling. However, if anyone requires advice on any matter, I will be there for them. It’s too early for me to mentor anyone.”

Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; December 25, 2018)

This year, he entered the big league with the successful Baaghi 2. When you meet him, you realise that beneath the guy-nextdoor image, Tiger Shroff is a dedicated professional, who will not shy away from hard work. His fitness levels, mastery over martial arts and his skills on the dance floor are the result of dedication and tireless practice. In an interview with BT, the actor opens up about how his hard work and discipline are finally paying off. Excerpts...

Did you expect Baaghi 2 to be such a big success?
No, I did not. My debut film Heropanti (2014) established an image for me — that of an actor who can dance and do action scenes well. Luckily, people identified with me, too. The film was received well, but I was very raw. During the process, I learnt a lot about filmmaking and the craft, which was my motivation to work twice as hard for Baaghi and its sequel. The Baaghi franchise presented a different side to me; it showed that I was an actor who had potential. People are still talking about the climax scene of Baaghi 2 and we’re already in the process of making the third instalment, so I am grateful for the success this franchise has brought me. It’s important that I am not labelled just as Jackie Shroff ka beta. The pressure of being a superstar’s son is too big and I felt that the sooner I come out from my father’s shadow, the better.

Do you feel producer Sajid Nadiadwala has played an important role in your career?
I think he has played the most important role in my career, because he gave me my biggest hit, Baaghi 2. I owe him a lot and I feel he is the best at what he does. We have worked very hard for these box-office numbers. We were always confident about Baaghi 2, but the numbers we achieved was something we did not expect at all. Sajid and the entire team rejoiced, and I was thrilled because I felt that my work was appreciated.

When you say there is a lot of hard work that goes into achieving these numbers, what sort of challenges are you talking about?
I feel that everyone in the industry is hard-working and committed, but when hard work marries good content, the result is flattering, like we have seen with the numbers that our film made. It’s a magical combination. Recently, there have been interesting content-rich films like Stree and Badhaai Ho, where I feel the content and commerce worked great together. The audience cannot be fooled. Our job and responsibility is to give them a good product and not cheat or lie to them through our films. So, when I say hard work, I feel it is important to rehearse certain portions again, if you feel it is not up to the mark.

Do you feel you are in a position to choose better scripts now?
Honestly, I don’t see myself in that position yet. I am still new, but I have complete faith and trust in my instincts. If someone shares a script with me, I will not commit to him if I am not able to envision myself in that character. I have to choose a character, which the audiences will identify with. I have the freedom to choose what is good or not good for me. I know my strengths.

What would you say is your USP?
I think the appeal lies in the kind of films I do. Like in Baaghi 2, I had to bash an army of 300 people, which ideally audiences will not digest. But, the way it was executed, I got the feedback that the audiences liked the climax a lot. So, I feel I am good with action scenes. The fact that the family audience has enjoying my dancing and action, also says a lot. Many people ask me to teach them my dance moves and this really motivates me.

In 2019, you have a film with Hrithik Roshan, then a sequel to Student Of The Year and Baaghi 3. Do you feel the spotlight will be on you in the coming year?
Student Of The Year (2012) launched three stars and they are doing exceedingly well right now. So, there is that added pressure to perform and make the sequel a success. The film has great music, the gloss, glamour and newcomers, who don’t look like they are first-time actors. With Hrithik sir, I am living a dream, because he is the best. Whenever I see my work with him on the playback monitor, I can’t believe that I am working with my idol. I can only thank God and the world for my lucky stars.

You had a dream launch (with Heropanti), but eventually, like all other actors, you had to survive on your own. Do you think the fact that you branded yourself as an action hero, helped in establishing a distinct space for yourself?
I knew that I could not be known only as Jackie Shroff ka beta. And I am happy that I chose a genre that audiences accepted me in. I got a chance to express myself. Also, I am enjoying the zone I am in right now. My body is young and I love to do action scenes. But Student Of The Year 2 will possibly change the way people perceive me.

How has success impacted your life? Do you see any changes in your persona and the way you approach your career?
When the numbers came in for Baaghi 2, I was on cloud nine, jumping with joy. It was too good to be true. My parents were on top of the world, too. My father does not react much, but I could see his happiness. I slept peacefully after a long time and the anxiety I had felt for so long was finally over. But again, it’s doubled my hard work and the pressure on me has increased, because now, I have to deliver more and live up to the audience’s expectations.

There are talks of you being in a steady relationship with Disha Patani. Any plans of getting married, any time soon?
I am married to my work (smiles).

Tiger Shroff talks about the upcoming Punit Malhotra-directed SOTY sequel, reveals to having bought an eight-bedroom apartment for his family
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 4, 2018)

It’s been a year of new beginnings for Tiger Shroff. The 28-year-old actor snipped off his Samson locks, settling for a short crop for the Baaghi sequel, his first film with steady date Disha Patani, bought a sprawling eight-bedroom apartment in Khar and launched a gym with sister Krishna. Speaking about his new home, he says, “I bought the house for my family and we will move in once it’s ready, maybe in a year or so.”

On the film front, Tiger has just wrapped up Punit Malhotra’s Student Of The Year sequel with debutantes, Ananya Panday and Tara Sutaria and is all praise for both. “They are fantastic, great co-actors!” he exults. “And given the way they work, it seems like they have been around for years,” he adds, going on to shower compliments on producer Karan Johar, director Punit Malhotra and DoP Ravi Chandran for the way they have mounted the film. “Punit sir is young, he knows how to tell the story and that makes the lives of the actors easier.”

The actor asserts that he loved the original and the earlier students, Sidharth Malhotra, Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan. “We are not trying to replace them, just trying to graduate with flying colours, like them,” he smiles. The new trio recently shot a song with Hollywood star Will Smith when he was on a trip to India in October. Choreographed by Remo D’souza, it was shot in a day. “Shooting with Will sir was fun, the song will be a treat for the audience when it releases,” he promises.

Tiger’s among the hits this year with Baaghi 2 and is ready to take the franchise forward with part three once the story is in place. “I know there are huge expectations, the team is working day and night to find the right script as we have to take Baaghi several notches higher,” points out the actor who had already kicked off his dream project with idol Hrithik Roshan. “It’s one of my most challenging films. It’s such a high to watch Hrithik sir work, being in the same frame as him. He’s my hero, someone I’ve admired all my life. Whenever I watch the playbacks, I can’t believe what I’m seeing.”

Mirror (September 20) had recently reported that Tiger is also set to make his Hollywood debut after several meetings with Lawrence Kasanoff, producer of the Mortal Kombat series. Siddharth Anand’s Rambo remake is also on the cards. “I don’t know if I’m allowed to talk about these films right now. All I can say is that Rambo will start after Baaghi 3, I don’t know exactly when,” he says cageyly. Meanwhile, the actor who is big on sport and fitness has launched his own gym. “Since my debut film, Heropanti, released, I’ve had a lot of kids and youngsters, including their mothers coming up to me and asking me where I trained so they could also enrol there. I had no answer since I used to train at Juhu beach with random boys. I’ve had different instructors on and off all my life but I wanted to do something in martial arts, if I were accepted by the industry. My sister is also into MMA so teaming up with her was the perfect idea,” he says, adding that he can now be found at his workout zone when he’s not shooting.

Tiger has often been spotted with Disha on casual outings and at Bollywood galas. Even before we can complete the question, Tiger is off. Ah well! 

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; April 12, 2018)

Producer Sajid Nadiadwala is on a high as the box office performance of Baaghi 2 has exceeded his expectations. The film, an adaptation of the Telugu hit Kshanam, registered footfall, which is rare for a film that opened in a non-festive, non-vacation window on March

30. Accolades are in order for the team that put its best foot forward — Sajid, the wind beneath Nadiadwala Grandson’s wings, Baaghi 2 director Ahmed Khan and its lead pair, Tiger Shroff and Disha Patani. About the film’s success, Sajid says, “I was confident about the potential of Baaghi 2 when I greenlit it, but the final product has blown me away. Now, it has smashed the record of 22 of my company’s hits so far. We have made a movie, which can be enjoyed by a large section of the audience,” he replies.

He says that the film has found takers from all over — from Mumbai to Melbourne and Ludhiana to London — thanks to its inclusive content. “People are now dissecting what worked for our film. Well, it’s a selfless team’s hard work. The fact is, anyone can carve a beautiful body, but it takes a director like Ahmed to ingest soul into it,” Sajid adds.

Most reviews stated that the film’s action is excellent and also lauded Tiger’s exemplary skills at performing stunts. Apart from the critics and the audience, the film fraternity has also showered praises on Tiger for his turn as Ronny, the rebel. Akshay Kumar even went to the extent of calling him India’s Tony Jaa (a popular martial arts practitioner and actor from Thailand).

Reacting to this, Tiger says, “I performed the action scenes my way. I had subconsciously decided to work towards becoming a hero, who caters to the masses. I wanted to be an action hero, because my inspirations have been artistes like Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. Today, the film has worked not because of me alone, it’s a team effort. Besides, I’m only raising the bar for myself, not others. We’ve now challenged ourselves as a team to make the next film bigger and better.”

The film’s opening-day collection is touted to be one of the highest for any of Tiger’s contemporaries, mainly because of his huge fan-following among kids. While the actor shied away from taking credit for the success, both Sajid and Ahmed concede that he was playing the modesty card. “I am lucky to get so much of love from kids, and that is great because their parents flock to theatres with them and it reflects in the collections. The single-screen audience has particularly been very kind to this film,” says Tiger.

Sajid adds, “When it comes to action, Tiger has no inhibitions; he’s not scared of bruises and injuries. This is his third film with us and with every outing, he has upped the game. Baaghi 2 opened in less than 5,000 screens and its ticket prices were also not high, as it’s not a festival season release. Yet, it has made the kind of money that has shocked the trade.”

The filmmaker’s company, while crafting entertainers, has also attempted to make younger actors play parts that they thoroughly enjoy, which eventually translates on screen. Sajid has a keen eye for spotting talent. Not one to launch actors or filmmakers in hoards, he brought Kriti Sanon and Tiger Shroff in the spotlight in 2014 with Heropanti, while Kick and Baaghi 2 gave actresses like Jacqueline Fernandez and Disha Patani’s respective careers a much needed boost.

Sajid says, “If I had a formula, I would have launched newcomers every year or maybe, every quarter. I’ve adopted my grandfather’s method of tapping talent. It’s our ancestors’ blessings and the vibe of the company, which made actors enjoy working with us on projects. Together, we have created stories that can entertain everyone. As for Tiger, he happened to be around when we had a story like Heropanti to tell. Over the years, his fan base and commercial standing have grown. He has become a busy actor and we really hope he stays that way. I think he would have succeeded the same way even if someone else had launched him, because he is immensely talented. I’m not on a mission to find talent. I might launch someone next year, or I might not do so for the next decade. As a policy, we don’t follow industry templates,” says Sajid.

Disha adds, “I want to thank Sajid sir and the team for trusting me with such a mature character, though I’d only done films where I didn’t have more than 15 minutes of screen time. Ahmed sir hand-held me through this. I couldn’t have asked for more.”

Given the audience’s reception to Baaghi 2, Baaghi 3 is likely to be a huge challenge for the team. BT was the first to tell you about it, even before the trailer of the second installment was released. “We announced it well in advance because we didn’t want it to look like we planned the third installment in a hurry, after the second part did well. We’re on a great wicket; not arrogant or complacent, but we are raring to work hard,” says Sajid.

Ahmed, who had told BT in an interview that if this film doesn’t click, he’d assume that he’s not cut out for direction, is clearly back in the game. He recalls, “When Sajid bhai had approached me to direct Baaghi 2, he had asked, ‘Dukaan chaalu hai kya?’ I had replied, ‘Half shutter down hai’. He has now opened the whole shutter. God also took my words to his heart, I guess. This film only proves one thing — you can’t have a formula for what clicks. Baat agar dil se niklegi to door tak jaayegi… We can’t wait to start work on Baaghi 3.”

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; March 28, 2018)

His last two movies — Munna Michael (2017) and A Flying Jatt  (2016) — did not fare well at the box office. That’s the reason Tiger Shroff is banking heavily on his upcoming film, Baaghi 2. “I’ve become hungry for success and I ’m eagerly waiting for the result, which this Friday has to offer,” he admits candidly. But he needn’t worry too much as producer Sajid Nadiadwala has already announced its third instalment showing confidence in the young hero. Not only that, the actor will also be taking forward another franchise with Student Of The Year 2 (SOTY2), which goes on floors next month.

In August, he starts shooting for a movie with Hrithik Roshan, which will be high on action and dance. Here, the four-film-old hero talks about creating an identity in this space, teaming up with his idol for his next and the lesson he has learnt from his films’ failures...

Even before the release of Baaghi 2, producer Sajid Nadiadwala has announced the third part. Are you feeling confident or has it put more pressure on you?
It’s a great feeling that the makers, especially Sajid sir, is happy. He is so assured about Baaghi 2 that he has already announced the third instalment. That’s because he knows it will make some sort of an impact. Personally, it gives me more confidence, but I cannot say anything right now — my mouth is zipped. But yes, there is a pressure to match up to people’s expectations.

Baaghi (2016) was accepted the way it was. That being said, we worked very hard on the second part. We kept in mind why that film was accepted and did a lot of introspection. We worked on our strengths, worked even more on our weaknesses and then conceptualised Baaghi 2.

What were the strengths and the weaknesses?
The USP was the action. That definitely was worked upon to take it to the next level. In Baaghi, the action was confined to a building. In this film, we have taken it out in the jungle, air and underwater. We are fighting all over the place using weapons, which I never did in the first part. The weakness was the storyline as it was predictable for most people. This time, we have a great story in hand with a strong emotional drive that will take the movie to another level.

You have also changed your look for the film...
Yes, physically, I had to put on a little more muscle for which I was eating and training more, making some sacrifices. But cutting my hair was the biggest sacrifice. I am attached to it and when Sajid sir told me I would have to cut my hair and reinvent myself, I was upset. But I was like, ‘Kar lo, aap boss ho’. For the longest time, I couldn’t see myself in the mirror! Fortunately, people are liking it and because of that unanimous praise, I felt assured and could look at myself.

So, are you going to keep your hair short now?
As of now, I am happy with it, but I may have to change it depending on what my other films’ requirements are.

So far, you have come across as an action star, who is also good at dancing. Is that the space you want to be in or will you explore other genres, too?
I want to stick to my genre. I am happy with the space and the niche that I have carved out for myself. I am just four films old and I have created an identity, an impact in the action and dance space. There is a lot of healthy competition and talent out there. How does one stand out? How do I differentiate myself from the rest? If a director has an action-and-dance movie in mind, why should there be another name? I want to be the first choice. I work with that mentality. I’m playing to my strengths and looking for a strong storyline that allows me to decorate the film with my talent.

Having said that, after Baaghi 2, I’ll be moving on to Student Of The Year 2 (SOTY 2), which is completely opposite to what I have been doing. I’m not a one-man hero or a fighter here. I’m not flaunting my body and muscles. I’ve been playing the stereotypical hero so far, but with SOTY 2, I’ll break into the chocolate boy-next-door space. I shall be looking younger, almost boyish, like a student. I’ll be leaner as I’ll lose weight for the role, and will be seen sans tanned make-up. I will get into the urban multiplex space. Most of my films have been mass single-theatre, B and C-centre, kind. So, SOTY 2 is definitely a change for me.

With SOTY 2, you are also getting into another franchise...
(Cuts in) Yes, there is a huge responsibility to take the franchise forward. I’m looking forward to a young, fun story and lovely music. It will be a glamorous film — there are two new girls, all hungry actors to prove themselves. So, there will be fresh and positive energy on the sets. 

You are teaming up with Hrithik Roshan for a film. Both of you are known for action and dance, what do you look forward to doing most with him?
Hrithik is my hero, my idol. Whatever he does is larger-than-life for me. I will just be frozen in front of him (laughs). I would like to do both action and dance with him. But because action is quite challenging and strenuous sometimes, I want to dance more with him. It’s in a lighter, fun zone and it will be an honour to match steps with him.

Your last two releases — A Flying Jatt and Munna Michael — did not do well at the box office. How do you cope with failure?
I get very depressed when my movies don’t do well or collect enough money at the box office. I feel bad not just for myself, but for the entire team, which has been through that journey. I think of all the good times we spent together and the hard work everyone has put into the film. So, it is disheartening. Now, I have become hungry for success. I go into my films with that mentality. I give my 100 per cent every day, every second, every shot. I’ve done more than that in Baaghi 2 and I’m eager to see the result.

What are your expectations from Baaghi 2?
I thought A Flying Jatt would do amazingly well. Heropanti (2014) was a hit and Baaghi was a bigger hit. So, I thought Flying Jatt would open at Rs 15 crore, but that didn’t happen. The only lesson I have learnt is not to over- expect and that’s why I don’t want to say anything.

You are said to be shy by nature. Is that the reason you are not admitting to your relationship with Disha Patani?
There is no reason to admit something. Just because two friends go out for lunch and coffee together and are snapped by the paparazzi, does not mean we are dating. We are just friends.

Are you saying she is not special?
She is definitely special, she is my co-star. I respect and admire her. She is a hardworking girl who has no tantrums — woh sirf kaam se hi matlab rakhti hai. She is sincere towards her craft.

Your chemistry with Disha in the music video, Befikra, was talked about and now you have paired up for Baaghi 2...
We are so comfortable around each other. We are not shy with each other, but with other people. We are similar in nature that way.

When will we see you sharing screen space with your father, Jackie Shroff?
If I team up with my father, nobody will look at me! He has too strong a presence, he’s too big a star. People have offered us films together, but nothing that has caught our interest.