A Copy/Paste job of some PR Media interviews we received from the Kick Cast (Sajid Nadiadwala, Nargis Fakhri, Chetan Bhagat, Mithun)
Usual Questions and quite bland answers but in a weird way, i’m having a very sanitized feeling about Kick in general. Maybe I don’t want to get my hopes up but the marketing of the movie has just made me feel a bit iffy about it.
Sajid Nadiadwala (Director)
Q: Kick marks your directorial debut, what made you step into your director shoes?
A: I think it was fate really; it happened so fast! It’s funny how things turn out in life. I was in a meeting with Salman, narrating the script to him, when all of a sudden he said, ‘Why don’t you direct it!’ I didn’t even have time to consider the offer, before I had even nodded he was jumping and hugging me and shouted across the room ‘Grandson is turning director.’ Before I even had time to share the news he had already written in his planner that a new director was coming. It’s been a wonderful experience and I felt right at home doing it.
Q: Did your experience as a producer help you in your debut?
A: Absolutely! As a producer I have worked with extremely talented directors and have gained knowledge and experience from working side by side with them. One becomes seasoned after so many films.
Q: What was your most memorable day on the set of Kick?
A: My first day on the set, definitely. I was calm and ready to don my director’s hat. I felt completely at ease on set and was lucky to have a very professional foreign crew. I decided to start with an action scene, as I feel most comfortable with it. Everything went down smoothly, and as we were wrapping up I thought to myself I am a director now!
Q: What makes Kick unique?
A: I had a clear and unique vision for Kick and thanks to my amazing team it has come together far beyond my expectations. The script is great, the high-octane stunts are gripping and the locations where we shot are stunning. Salman and I were set on creating something new. It’s very different to his earlier films.
Q: We’ve heard you spent more than 72 hours at a stretch buried in the editing room
A: I can’t help it I’m a perfectionist. When you are dedicated to make a project succeed you forget everything else around you, including the time!
Q: Has Salman been a help to you on this adventure?
A: Absolutely. It was great fun discussing our ideas, brainstorming and working out the scenes together. He’s been very helpful and completely supportive of my vision. All in all, it has been a great experience.
Q: How do you feel about the release of Kick?
A: I am very excited. It has been a wonderful ride and now we have to enjoy the result of all our hard work. The trailer received five million views in 59 hours, so I expect great things for this film.
Chetan Bhagat (Screenwriter)
Q: Did you enjoy writing the screenplay for ‘Kick’? Does it mean that you are becoming more and more involved in the film-making process?
A: I did enjoy it. It was fun, plus Salman Khan was in it, so it was an honour too. But it doesn’t mean that I will become a screen writer. Occasionally, I might get into all this again, but I am more than happy with just being an author. I am comfortable with my books, giving motivational talks and writing columns. Those are the areas I want to dedicate my time to.
Q: When you’re writing a book do you automatically think of how it would pan into a film?
A: No, not really. I can’t think of it that way. Writing books was, is and will be my passion; it doesn’t really matter if it will be made into a movie or not. Moreover, if my book is good, then the filmmakers would approach me anyway. I wouldn’t have to do anything extra to get my books made into a movie.
Q: What inspired you to start writing?
A:To be honest, I just wanted to do something different. I always liked writing and I thought it could be a great hobby. The only thing I did not know is that there would be so many people who would like my writing.
Q: When is your next book coming out? What is it about?
A: It will be coming out in October this year (2014). I don’t want to spoil the book for you, so I won’t say a lot about the plot, except that it is a rural Indian love story. It is slightly different from the other books I’ve written so far, but I hope that my readers will enjoy it.
Q: Why did you agree to write the screen-play for ‘Kick’?
A: I’ve known Salman from the time of Hello, the movie version of my novel One Night At The Call Centre. But I never had a chance to work with him. So this was a perfect opportunity. Also, when I saw the original version of Kick, I loved it, but I felt like there is potential to take the content deeper. Sajid [Director] is debuting with Kick too and he has a huge vision for it – hopefully I will be able to make it come true.
Q: What is ‘Kick’ about?
A: Kick is about a guy who lives life only for his kicks, a powerful concept and a perfect recipe for a Salman-Nadiadwala blockbuster.
Nargis Fakhri (Actress) Q&A
Q: Were you excited to work with Salman Khan?
A: I was nervous! He’s such a big Bollywood star, I was afraid I’d mess something up. When I went to the set and met him, all my fears faded away. Salman is a very positive person and his sense of humour is amazing! I had such a great time working with him and the whole team.
Q: You had some problems with your knee whilst shooting the song ‘Yaar Na Mile’. Did it affect your performance in any way?
A: Yes, I suffered from a ruptured knee and it was extremely painful, but I pulled myself together because I know that opportunities like this don’t appear very often. I have no idea how, but I managed to complete it in just four days.
Q: It’s your second item number. Do you think there will be more?
A: I really enjoy dancing, but I don’t want to be seen as just an item dancer. Acting is my passion and I want to do some good meaty roles. I am currently talking to different directors, but nothing has been finalised just yet.
Q: You will be making your Hollywood debut quite soon. What do you prefer Bollywood or Hollywood?
A: I think it has to be Bollywood. I am feeling more comfortable in Bollywood because I have spent more time here and I do have a much better understanding about it. Besides dancing and music is my passion, this is why I prefer to spend more time here [Bollywood].
Q: Tell us a bit more about your dance number?
A: It is a very urban, edgy yet sexy dance number. There was a lot to learn. At first I thought I might miss some steps, but everything went brilliantly well. Salman has a great energy and I think that is what made me so comfortable around him.
Mithun Chakraborthy (Actor) Q&A
Q: You are known for being very particular about the roles you accept, what was so special about Kick that made you sign?
A: After 375 films, I would say I’m fortunate to be able to consider carefully which roles I take on. I don’t accept a role for the sake of it, there has to be something special about the character that draws me to the film. When I read the Kick script I thought my character was hilarious, so I said yes. I thought it was a great project to be a part of.
Q: Your success as an actor and disco dancer has made you an icon of Hindi cinema, did you ever think you would make it this far?
A: When I started out I was hopeful and determined, and took my career one step at a time. When you are an actor there is no point in predicting your success, I always say that luck plays a very big role in an actor’s life. It’s not easy being discovered, you have to be at the right place, at the right time.
Q: As Bollywood’s disco king, how important is dance in your daily life?
A: Dance has and will always be a part of me. Whenever I’m sad the dance floor is my escape. I get positive energy through dancing. I am so lucky to be able to make my hobby an important part of my career and I don’t hesitate to accept projects that allow me to dance.
‘KICK’
Releasing worldwide through UTV Motion Pictures on 25th July 2014
What is with that guy?