Filmfare – July 15, 2019

INTERVIEW

you to tell Raj Kumar Gupta and
Fox Studios to move India’s Most
Wanted.” Also, Parineeti’s Jabariya
Jodi was slated for a July release.
How could she market two films in
June-July? Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar
can now only release in August-
September. Adi said, “I’ll announce
it only when we’re sure of the
release date.”

How was it working with Ashutosh
Gowariker on Panipat?
It’s been amazing. He’s quite the
stickler for perfection. He’s also
someone who’s done period films. So,
I’m assured of being presented in the
right way. His research is fantastic.
Kriti Sanon’s a treat to work with.
I got a chance to work with Sanju
(Dutt) sir, who’s playing a larger-
than-life villain. He’s like a child on
the set. Ashu sir cares for his actors.
He plans everything around your
comfort. When you’re making such
a big film, there’s a tendency to plan
according to the budget, the director’s
needs. But he puts his actors first.
He’s been an actor, he understands
what an actor needs to deliver well.

Is Panipat physically demanding?
Yes. My armour weighs around 10
kilos on a regular day. If I’m shooting
outdoor, you can imagine how it
must be to ride a horse wearing the
armour and doing action with a bald
pate and the sun hitting your head.
You tire easily. You can’t seek shade
in between shots because the horse
gets irritated if you keep getting off.
There’s a lot of coordination required
for action scenes and song sequences.
You may have got the take right, but
the lantern behind may have gone off.
And you’ve got to do it again. Overall,
it’s been a learning experience.

You just mentioned that in the past few

years, you haven’t looked your best. Why?

I’m capable of looking better. I have

to be honest with myself and with the

audience. They’re paying 500 rupees

to watch me. They expect me to look

the way I looked when I started out.

But I’ve had health issues, I don’t

talk about. I come from a slightly

obese childhood. (Smiles) Slight

is an understatement. That comes

with its own ailments. I battle with

them constantly. Today, I’m back to

feeling my best. I’ve lost all the excess

weight. I’m shooting a film where I’m

bald and my director is happy

with the way I’m looking. I believe

I look like a warrior. There’s a certain

physicality that the role needed.

I was able to achieve that.

Coming to your personal life, what made

you come out in the open about your

relationship with Malaika Arora?

We’ve come out because we feel

the media has given us dignity.

There’s a certain understanding that

the media has displayed. They’ve

been respectful, kind, honest and

decent about it. That’s why I felt

MALAIKA AND I’VE COME

OUT BECAUSE WE FEEL THE

MEDIA HAS GIVEN US DIGNITY.

THEY’VE BEEN RESPECTFUL,

KIND, HONEST AND DECENT

ABOUT IT. THAT’S WHY I FELT

COMFORTABLE