Will people take Agent Vinod or Saif Ali Khan home?
Sriram Raghavan (writer and director) hasn’t just made an action thriller where the spy goes with the flow, but with his personality and the things he does – there was a performance called for. I hope people appreciate that. It’s the character they should remember.
Have you brought your own humour to the film?
No. I feel Sriram has written the humour into the script. When you express humour, you tend to express it in the way you actually do it as an individual, not as an actor. But I also find some situations humorous in the movie. It’s Sriram who will be tickling the funny bone in Agent Vinod.
Will Agent Vinod redefine the action genre?
It’s a little unfair and a bit arrogant to say that. But Agent Vinod is more of an action adventure than a thriller. We had to make a call on what action we wanted and we decided not to rely on computers and trickery. Everything in the film is real, but it’s not too over the top and, at the same time, it’s stylised. I don’t think we’ve redefined anything.
Who is your favourite: Bond, Bourne or Tin Tin?
It’s very hard to say. All three are very different movies. It all depends on your mood. Sometimes you want to be taken on a fun-filled ride, so James Bond is the best. But if you want a slightly more intense, realistic, thinking kind of plot, then Jason Bourne is perfect, and if you want a cartoon with exciting locations and a great screenplay, you’ve got Tin Tin.
What was the toughest action sequence in Agent Vinod?
The climax of the movie is the chase we shot in Delhi. It was the most difficult action sequence to pull off as I developed a spasm in my hamstring. I had to do a lot of running with my leg in agony. I remember calling Hrithik Roshan as he knows a lot about these tricky situations. He not only knew how to medicate it, but was aware of how to approach an action sequence in such situations. I am very grateful to him for that.
Besides the chase, there was lots of jumping, slipping, and bruising and, honestly, I was severely bashed up in this film.
Is it a deliberate attempt on Illuminati Films’ part to choose diverse genres?
It’s precisely the same approach as our past two films. We are tilting towards the action genres – at least I have. I like a bit of a darker space, a slightly supernatural, slightly detective crime-thriller movie.
In a male-dominated industry and an action movie too, does Kareena Kapoor have a chance to showcase her brilliant talent?
Sriram knows Kareena is a very good artist and, personally speaking, she is a very good actress and has a tremendous screen presence. In this film Kareena has got a solid role. She isn’t a Bond girl. Kareena represents a Pakistani interest, something that’s shown in a more positive light and a realistic way.
Do we see Agent Vinod coming out of the water in his trunks, showing off his six pack?
Oh no! You may see, by the end of the movie, a beautiful girl walking out of the water. I chose not to put myself in that situation.
How physically challenging was it to play Agent Vinod?
I had to be fit, very fit. I had to train hard. It was a gruelling schedule to do action. It is very demanding. I have a lot of respect for action heroes because I know what it takes.
Will Agent Vinod sustain at the box office?
Agent Vinod will open strongly, but it will be its long run at the box office that matters. The concept is appealing and it has an exciting plot. This is the right time for Agent Vinod. - Bollywood Hungama.com