You only need to glance at Akshay Kumar’s lunch box to understand how he beats the ageing process so naturally (healthy, simple, home-cooked fare high on proteins). And Sidharth Malhotra’s obvious reassurance around his co-star is also evident, since both have pushed themselves to the limit for Brothers , which just released. An interview with the two.
You’ve worked with international technicians to perfect the action sequences in the film. Tell us about the preparations.
Sidharth: We had to prepare for three months for the action scenes. It began with getting an international team of mixed martial arts fighters and stunt experts, who knew not only how to fight but also shoot. Unlike Akshay, who already has a strong background in martial arts, I had to focus to get the technique right. Whenever I would ask Akshay if there were Indian action directors who could be compared to the team behind Brothers, he would simply say none. No film has shot action featuring so many different martial art forms in such detail.
Akshay: Shooting for Brothers was like a dream come true for me…I was like a kid in a candy shop! We shot for 52 days for the climax and all the shooting was in the rink.
Akshay, how has shooting for action scenes changed from when you began your career?
The transition is amazing. About 12 years back, I recall jumping from a height of two floors wearing jump knee pads. We simply didn’t know much about safety precautions and techniques while shooting action. We would use regular coir mattresses for jumps. It’s like a transition from the Stone Age today. But Brothers is what you would call a true-blue martial arts film. We haven’t depended on graphics.
Actors who’ve played a boxer or a fighter often say how tough it is both physically and mentally. Do you agree?
Akshay: A few days back, our director, Karan Malhotra, told us that he has finally watched all 52 hours of the fight sequences, and said, ‘I am sorry, I have seriously butchered the two of you during this shoot’.
Sidharth: It was very tough, because of the physical effort and the amount of man-hours you put into this film. Also, the acting and emotional energy I spent on this film didn’t leave me with any time to socialise or spend time beyond work and home. I went into a shell for these three months, but in a manner that was good because my character in the film is lonely. The intensity of the shoot helped me achieve that.
Akshay, you’ve taken a stand against speaking to sections of the English media. Considering we rarely get to speak to you, I have to ask you about your point of view on artificial methods of fitness and bodybuilding.
Akshay: I talk to critics all right, but I don’t speak to those who attack personally while criticising a film. Some actually go on to say, ‘Don’t buy the ticket’, which is unfair to producers who have spent so much money to make the film. I like critics who make their points reasonably, and leave it up to the audience to watch a film.
As far as fitness goes, I believe in all the natural methods of fitness and health. I tell people that they shouldn’t be a product of a product. They should be a product of their parents. My workouts begin with climbing, and then I work out with weights. We’ve started diverting ourselves towards artificial fitness. It’s a shame that a video game tells us how to exercise. Why can’t we just pick up a football and go play? Why not go for a jog on the beach? You sweat, lose weight and feel happier!
