Exclusive! Vidyut Jammwal on exploring genres other than action: People I'm responsible for, also have to enjoy it

Vidyut Jammwal is gearing for another OTT release with Sanak, which releases on Disney+ Hotstar Multiplex this Friday. Ahead of the film’s premiere, OTTPlay caught up with the actor to know more about this action-thriller, his career, and whether or not he would foray into the comedy genre. 

Kanishk Sharma directs the film that is produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, Zee Studios and Sunshine Pictures. Chandan Roy Sanyal, Neha Dhupia, and Rukmini Maitra will also be seen in pivotal roles. 

Sanak is mostly shot inside a hospital, so as an action star, does a confined space come with its challenges?

It's amazing to shoot in a confined state because every time I'm somewhere whether it's a nightclub, or it's a hotel, toilet, or a bar, or a bus or the aircraft, I always keep thinking of ideas of how to do action better. So, when you have a confined state because the actual fights always take place in a confined space and not on a football ground. I do teach a lot of self-defence to women all over the world. Everything is about confined spaces because when women get assaulted, it's in a confined space and not in an akhaada. It's amazing to shoot an action film in a confined space because that's where it happens in reality, you don't have a big setup. But it's fun.

Why do you think the title Sanak is apt for the film?

Sanak is basically in my opinion, a positive connotation. Sanak chad jaye toh koi kuch bhi kar sakte hai, be it to make an achievement in career or anything else. It's apt because this guy is quite settled down and quite okay with life. But something happens with his wife at the hospital. If anything happens to one's wife, sanki hona zaroori hai, otherwise thoda ajeeb sa aadmi ho jayega. So, I thought the title was amazing and the director thought of it.

How do you approach action sequences when there's an emotional angle attached to them?

Just like in Khuda Haafiz, when my wife is lost and I have to fight these goons. When your wife is lost and you are frustrated, what do you do? You don't have to prepare anything and you are just in that zone. Similarly, in Sanak, when I go into the hospital and it comes under a hostage situation, you don't have to prepare. You just know your wife is there, action comes with all your emotion like 'I will ruin your life' type.

Now that cinemas are reopening, would you have been fine if the film had a traditional, theatrical release?

The film has been made for a very long time and the producer shouldn't afford more losses. If a movie is waiting for its release, that means the producer is losing money. An actor could say, 'I want to wait a bit'. So apart from that, I'm very proud of it because I've been raised watching Jackie Chan movies on TV, VHS cassettes with stop, pause and rewind. I have learnt the action sequences by doing this the whole time. So, I think it's a great opportunity for people to stop, pause, rewind and watch it again.

Sanak is your fourth film to go the OTT route. Does this ease the pressure of anticipating box office performance?

I don't know about other people but I don't take the pressure? So, there's no pressure on me, it's not my thing to do. What will happen if you take the pressure? I've always said it, I don't feel pressure but I feel responsible.

As a medium, what do you have to say about OTT?

I think it's a great medium. A lot of people have good jobs after the pandemic. I know so many people who didn't have work. I'm so proud of the fact that everybody's working. I know a lot of actors who have never worked and they are working. I know the talent that never got an opportunity they're getting. So, it's amazing I love the fact so many people are working.

Do you think streaming platforms have changed the definition of “star power”?

I don't know what that means. So, I don't know whether it changed or not. I'm not an astrologer to tell you whether to change or not. Star power is star power! If you're a star, you're a star. If you're not meant to be a star, you're not a star.

From Force to Sanak, how would you describe your decade-long journey in the film industry?

It has been amazing, man! I must say that everybody should experience this. I genuinely hope that every human being who comes to Bombay with a dream should experience what I do. It's amazing but I would even then add, when you have experienced it the way I have, please be grateful because that's the only way to be.

Do you think fans would be open to seeing you in a different genre? Has any project been offered to you?

I am also an actor apart from being a martial artist. Khuda Haafiz is an out-and-out love story. I'm enjoying whatever I'm doing. It's not that the comedy genre doesn't have action in it. There are so many action comedies made here, also many action romantic and action-thriller movies. I'm exploring it but if you're asking me, I won't do any of these, that's slightly difficult. If you have a Michael Jackson in a film and you ask him not to sing and dance, that would be wrong.

So, you are up for a comedy genre film?

Of course, I would love to do it. It's just that we need a great script. Just because I want to do comedy, I will not just do it. People I'm responsible to, they also have to enjoy it.