After creating his identity as an unrivalled dancer in the industry, Tiger Shroff is looking forward to Munna Michael which he calls his tribute to his idol Michael Jackson. Also featuring Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Tiger describes the experience of working with with the versatile actor as a ‘learning one’. Nurturing the dream of becoming a larger than life hero, Tiger talks about his his father’s influence, his competition with contemporaries and stepping into the shoes of Sylvester Stallone. Excerpts.
How would you define your relationship with film industry so far?
I am glad people have loved me so far and it has been a learning experience as far as acting craft is concerned. Acting is much of a mazdoor’s (labour) work. It looks beautiful from the outside but it takes a lot of effort to make that beauty come across. I visited the film sets only four-five times with my father and that too only for action sequences. So my knowledge about the industry was similar to any outsider. My respect for my father and all the actors has tripled after I joined the industry. They do a lot of hard work and deserve all the glory that they get.
The character of Munna Michael is similar to those street smartcharacterswhich your father Jackie Shroff used to play. Was he the reference point?
Out of all the good things that my father possessed as a star, I have inherited his little bit of screen presence. But as a performer, I want to learn how effortless or bindaas he is on screen as, without even trying, he looks cool and exudes swagger. The tapori attitude that I have in this film is indeed drawn from many of his films. He has been a huge influence.
What according to you, differentiates you from your contemporaries?
The most important thing about today's actors is that they come with a lot of preparation because of which there is so much of competition and it is very tough to differentiate yourself and create your own identity. I respect and enjoy their work also. I think my skill in dance and action scenes is what differentiates me. My mentor, Sajid Nadiadwala, keeps telling me that I am unique because I have a tough body with a face of a boy. He says that I can play a romantic hero but I can do action also. Having that variety, I think I have created my own space in the industry.
Tiger Shroff
A space for dancing star always existed in Bollywood. Do you want to capture that slot?
I think for that Hrithik Roshan is still there at the top. He comes with complete package — the heroism, charisma and style of his own. Whatever I have achieved so far is because of him and I do not want to capture that slot of dancing superstar from him or any other senior actor as they are like teachers to me. I want to create my small place among them. Dance need not be one dimensional. Be it Govinda ji or Mithun da, everybody is unique. Dilip Kumar ji was a wonderful dancer but few remember him for his dancing talent.
You also attempted a superhero film ( A Flying Jatt ) but it did not work...
I have a mass following among kids. They connect with me easily. Kids love superheroes and the larger than life fantasies but we have to understand that for this kind of cinema we need big budget and special effects which are at par with Hollywood.
At a time when even stars are trying realistic roles, do you think one can attain superstar status with a larger than life image?
Though stars are also doing character roles these days , the stardom attached to their names has come from larger than life roles. Bruce Lee, Michael Jackson and Tom Cruise, I love larger than life heroes. I respect Salman (Khan) sir very much because of his aura and mass connect. I would like to have the stardom that he has. I want to do roles where I can present myself as a complete performer by singing my own songs as music is the loudest form of expression; dance my own way like Michael Jackson used to do.
I love musicals. I think situation based songs which are intrinsic to Bollywood films are something which no one can do better than us. They are not always world class, but for the audience which they are catering to, they are worth it.
Don’t you think it is a bit early for you to do iconic roles as Sylvester Stallone's Rambo,which you are attempting next?
Time will tell... I am very grateful and thankful to be in somebody's role whom I have looked up to all my life, and stepping into his shoes is a big challenge. The only thing which is in my hands is practice, which I have to do a lot and do justice to the work given to me. I can say that nobody can match what he has done but I can give it a try. I have never met him in life but I would love to meet him and show my work to him. We had a conversation on Twitter and he was very kind to acknowledge and give his best wishes for the project. I will try not to let him down.
