{"id":10843,"date":"2009-01-09T15:52:53","date_gmt":"2009-01-09T15:52:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tat.reddaisytrading.co.uk\/index.php\/2009\/01\/09\/the-experience-made-all-the-pain-worthwhile\/"},"modified":"2009-01-09T15:52:53","modified_gmt":"2009-01-09T15:52:53","slug":"the-experience-made-all-the-pain-worthwhile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theasiantoday.com\/index.php\/2009\/01\/09\/the-experience-made-all-the-pain-worthwhile\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018The experience made all the pain worthwhile\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Akshay Kumar talks about Chandni Chowk to China<\/h3>\n
\"\"2008 was a pretty impressive year for Akshay Kumar.<\/strong> <\/div>\n

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Not only did he retain his crown as the \u2018King\u2019 of the box office he proved no challenge was beyond him. Seriously, who else would have managed to get the king of Hip-Hop, Snoop Dogg, into the Bollywood set-up? This year is set to be no different for Akshay. With a host of films lined up for release, fans will also get a chance to see him In the Hollywood-starrer \u2018Kambakht Ishq\u2019 alongside Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger! \u00a0Later this month he stars In the Warner Bros led-picture \u2018Chandni Chowk to China\u2019 \u2013 a Kung Fu action comedy that is already being billed as one of Bollywood\u2019s best for 2009. For the first time in Bollywood history the super-powers of Asian cinema unite. Chinese star Gordon Liu \u2013 who played the unforgettable role of \u2018Pai-Mei\u2019 In Quentin Tarantino\u2019s \u2018Kill BILL\u2019 makes his first foray Into Bollywood and Is joined by a supporting cast of Deepika Padukone and Mithun Chakraborty. Zakia Yousaf spoke to Akshay about his role In \u2018Chandni Chowk to China\u2019\u2026<\/div>\n

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Akshay tell us a bit about your new film \u2018Chandni Chowk to China\u2019 and your role In It.<\/strong><\/div>\n

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‘Chandni Chowk to China’ is\u00a0Bollywood’s first\u00a0real\u00a0Kung Fu\u00a0action comedy. It’s\u00a0about a simple cook called Sidhu from Chandni Chowk, who is mistaken for an ancient reincarnated Chinese warrior by the villagers of an oppressed Chinese village. It reminds me so much of my own days as a cook and my passion for\u00a0learning martial arts. I wasn’t born with a black belt you know, and the training I had to undergo in this film brought back many a painful memory! Basically it’s a\u00a0role\u00a0where my character\u00a0cooks, trains, dances, and kick\u2019s ass just like me, so if you like me I think this is my masterpiece\u00a0(In my eyes anyway!)\u00a0But I must say it was an honour and one of the most\u00a0exciting experiences of my career be able to work with\u00a0legendary veterans Gordon Liu from \u2018Kill Bill\u2019 and of course\u00a0our Mithun Dada. <\/div>\n

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What was it about the script that attracted you to the project?<\/strong><\/div>\n

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When I signed the movie there was no script, Nikhil Advani Sir showed me the poster only and I loved it there and then. The incredible script was\u00a0just a\u00a0bonus\u00a0for me as I already fell in love with the concept. Sometimes it’s the small things that outline our destinies; the big things just fill in the gaps.\u00a0 <\/div>\n

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Was playing this character a challenge for you?<\/strong><\/div>\n

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The character ‘no’, the role ‘yes’. I loved my character, he’s such an innocent duffer with a heart of gold, you know nothing is simple or easy for him, so\u00a0creating so many characteristics for one person is the most exhilarating thing an actor can do.\u00a0<\/div>\n

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Portraying Sidhu was like\u00a0playing\u00a0myself through\u00a0and through, and I know one doesn’t get to play oneself often so I know I\u2019m going to miss him. Don\u2019t get me wrong, yes I\u00a0had fun but the pain of the action soon took the smile off my face! I loved it but comedy is so much easier compared to straps and harness’s being tied round your precious parts and Chinese ninja\u2019s beating you up 10 hours every day! <\/div>\n

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Seems like you had quite a painful experience Akshay! What kind of training did you have to undergo for the action sequences?<\/strong><\/div>\n

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Kung Fu training obviously, I knew the kind of talent I was about to be up against so my martial arts had to be polished, so It was back to the grind stone, severe conditioning and stretching day in day out then rehearsals for the sequences which was by far the best bit. There’s nothing better in life than going to bed at night knowing you just trained your ass off to create good cinema. It makes all the pain feel worthwhile! <\/div>\n

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You\u2019re famed for doing your own stunts \u2013 did you get into any difficulty with the stunts in this film?<\/strong><\/div>\n

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No, I\u2019m a good listener and Dee Dee (stunt coordinator) is outstanding, he makes you rehearse so many times before your take that you are too scared to get it wrong by that point. The stunt team was brilliant; especially when I had a few painful injuries along the way not to mention my slipped disc but nothing compared to what Jackie Chan has gone through believe me!<\/div>\n

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As a martial arts expert yourself what was it like working with the great Gordon Liu?<\/strong><\/div>\n

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He is quite a legend In the Kung Fu world. I watched\u00a0his film ’36 Chambers of Shaolin’\u00a052 times to learn all his tricks of the trade as the thought of Gordon Liu chopping me up into pieces with his\u00a0famous one-inch punch\u00a0gave me sleepless nights. (Just joking)<\/em>! I just wish my father could have seen me work alongside the very man he saw me idolise as a young man; a day I thought would never come.<\/div>\n

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\"\"Your co-star Deepika Padukone has been quoted as saying \u2018I want to be the female Akshay Kumar\u2019. How do you feel about this comment?<\/strong><\/div>\n

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‘Good Luck’ because It isn\u2019t easy! What can I say? As long as you duck at the right moment and block your pretty face I\u2019m sure the world will love to see her be like me! I don\u2019t know if my facial hair will suit her though but she’s definitely got a good right leg there, so all the best! I must say I am flattered though. <\/div>\n

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What was it like working with Deepika?<\/strong><\/div>\n

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Oh its bliss working with newcomers, they haven’t learnt the bad tricks yet unlike some! Only kidding ladies! She was very good at what was required of her and she should be honoured at such a young age to have been given the chance to work with such great people \u2013 I had to wait nearly 20 years! I’m proud of what she\u2019s done;\u00a0she\u00a0has a good head on her\u00a0shoulders. Only time can tell her future, but I have a feeling it will be a very bright one.<\/div>\n

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One of your main hits in 2008 \u2018Singh Is Kinng\u2019 was a massive success worldwide \u2013 do you think Chandni Chowk to China can be as big of a hit?<\/strong><\/div>\n

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Do I look like I can predict the future! Sorry that was my nerves talking there! It has the capacity and the essence to be as great a hit maybe even more, but I\u2019m not one to toot my own horn and I refuse to jinx myself. It’s entirely up to the audience, what I feel is great may not be others opinion b but I can do no more. Now I just pray and leave my future successes in the lives of my people, oh by the way have I ever told you how much I love my people! (wink wink)<\/em> <\/div>\n

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Bollywood has such an International presence at the moment. What do you think this can do for the Industry on an International scale?<\/strong><\/div>\n

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The Indian Film Industry started out in 1916 and has grown into a multimillion dollar Industry. As the years go by we are making many urban modern day movies but they will always have a touch of \u2018Massala\u2019. Indian films will always be Indian. It is a genre within itself albeit adaptable to new audiences and wider changes in the world of cinema, but without losing its core essence. The biggest transition will always be understanding and respecting people’s cultures and the way it works in other countries. We are all same but different. We work a certain way and so do they, but every International crew that I have worked with has been Incredible, It opens your eyes just like we open theirs. Mostly theirs is out of shock because they can’t believe how we manage to make things work the way we do, but it\u2019s fascinating though.\u00a0 We are two Industries that are capable of connecting extremely well. But neither one is trying to become the other; we are just creators that love cinema worldwide. I think Bollywood is doing what it has always been doing i.e. creating magic but on a much wider, scale. <\/div>\n

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2008 was a massive year for you at the box office. Are you confident of replicating this success in 2009<\/strong>?<\/div>\n

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Considering I just feel damn lucky that I\u2019m still even here today I think me asking for more this year than I achieved last year would be more than just the icing on the cake. It’s not about confidence, it’s about what the people feel is good to them at that time, and we are only here because of them. I could be the best actor in the world but if audiences don\u2019t like me then I\u2019m screwed. I could make a wonderful movie but if the timing is wrong then again I\u2019m ruined. It’s not luck I pray for its opportunities, and all I can say is ‘I know I give my up most best to every opportunity ever given to me, and that goes without saying.<\/div>\n

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What big \u2018Akshay Kumar films\u2019 can we expect in 2009?<\/strong><\/div>\n

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‘Blue’ ‘8×10’ \u2018De Dana Dan\u2019. That\u2019s not to mention the others I\u2019ll be shooting for next year. Please feel free to tell me if you\u2019re getting sick of me! \u00a0<\/div>\n

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Finally Akshay, do you have a special message for your fans In the UK?<\/strong><\/div>\n

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Yeah I hear it’s pretty cold over there right now! Just think of me and I\u2019ll keep you warm, unless you\u2019re a guy then think of Katrina, or Deepika or just anyone but me! Guys I must say I can\u2019t wait to come to London for my premiere of CC2C, I hope you all come to see me for a new year\u2019s hug, you know I love you, keep up all your new year\u2019s resolutions, and listen to your parents whether you like It or not because no kidding guys they always know best! Love and prayers your even bigger fan Akshay xx. <\/div>\n

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Chandni Chowk to India is released in the UK\u00a0on 16 January<\/strong><\/div>\n

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Related Articles<\/strong><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Chandni Chowk to India \u2013 Bollywood Film Review with Manish Gajjar<\/a><\/div>\n

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