“It is Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham with Mixed Martial Arts. ” This is how Siddharth Malhotra describes Brothers, an adaptation of Hollywood hit Warriors by Karan Malhotra under the banner of Dharma productions. The cast of the film was in the Capital recently. An emotional battle between two brothers which is sorted out in the ring, Siddharth, who is playing the younger brother of Akshay Kumar, says the film has lots of drama and emotions along with loads of actions. “As men have this characteristic of not sharing their inner feelings, it often causes fissures in the family. Here the issues go on for years and as it happens in a ‘family of fighters’ you can expect the intensity,” explains Siddharth.
Akshay Kumar maintains that Karan has offered him one of the best roles of his career. “We worked very hard as we started practising 4-5 months before the shoot. We had to undergo special training. We took help of fight masters from Los Angeles who taught us the intricacies of MMA professionally so that the action looks authentic,” says Akshay.
Having started his career as a teacher of martial arts, Akshay says action comes naturally to him. “But at the same time I believe in doing new things, exploring new ideas and offering a new side of me to the audience without considering factors like limited popular appeal and box office collection.”
He cites the example of Baby, which had no songs and romantic angle but still made money at the box office. He holds that it is the “pressure” of box office that scares big stars from experimenting. “My recommendation is don’t take your work so seriously that you forget to smile, laugh and joke around.”
Jacqueline Fernandez, who is expected to bring the sunshine in the film, says, “The film has a message that communication lines should be maintained in the bonds tied by blood.”
The Sri Lankan has first-hand experience of this as she misses her family in Mumbai.
“Other than cultural and linguistic challenges, I missed my family the most. There was nobody to guide me. Thankfully, I got supportive directors to show me the way,” reflects Jacqueline, who had fun time on the sets deciphering the Punjabi humour of Akshay and Siddharth.
