The release of Baby couldn’t have been better timed, considering that it makes a statement on global terrorism. Bollywood Hungama’s Joginder Tuteja spoke to its star, Akshay Kumar.
The film’s plot sees you and your team hunting down a terror mastermind. That’s a good platform for a captivating action-thriller-drama, would you agree?
This is where the mastermind works at his best, between the fictitious and real-life plots and stories that are collected from newspapers worldwide. Neeraj Pandey brings a certain perspective to terror that we know exists, we hear about it, but we never really grasp the in-depth concept of real terrorists and the brains behind their insidious actions. But Neeraj takes you on a journey that even I haven’t dreamt of.
In Special 26 as well as Baby, you have been presented differently compared to your other films. Can one say that Neeraj allows you to explore different characters with his films?
No, no, no! One doesn’t explore with Neeraj Sir; one does as one’s told, that’s the journey. I don’t have to “think”, I have to “do”, I have to “understand”, that’s the difference. I don’t have to create a character; he gives me one that I follow like my life depends on it. Baby is one of the greatest acting experiences I have had. There is no improvisation, there is only turning pages into reality. We are giving a script a 3D life and it’s incredibly refreshing to work with such powerful craftsmen.
In the film, you also return with your co-star of many films, Anupam Kher. From Special 26 to Baby, it seems you are indeed a team with Pandey?
We are what some people call inseparable when it comes to shooting our films. From eating together, changing together, sharing vans, sharing phones. But it doesn’t stop there; we have become somewhat even closer on this film for now we even take massages together (smiles). We are not only a team, we are Baby. We are Neeraj Pandey’s Baby (winks).
I am particularly glad to see Danny Denzongpa returning in a meaty role. Though I missed his extended presence in Boss, are we going to see a substantial role for Danny this time around?
Danny Sir is not only crucial to this film, he is the brains behind us all. Meaty, needed and well played, Danny is in his element in Baby. And may I add with full respect, what an incredible healthy, fit young man he is. Just to shake his hand, you think you are in the presence of an officer. What a grip and what a walking specimen of a gentleman. Baby wouldn’t be the same without him.
On the other hand, Madhurima Tuli plays your wife in the film. Since you have given an opportunity to quite a few actresses in the industry, how has Madhurima turned out?
She is a fine actress whose future holds very promising ventures. She is an absolute delight to work with and a pleasure being a husband to in the film. Our industry needs actresses like Madhurima. I am looking forward to what Bollywood makes of her!
Earlier this year, you came up with Holiday which was about extraditing terrorists out of their hole. Now, in Baby too, you are following a trail. Is it just the treatment that differentiates both or is there more to the plot, twists and turns that separates the two films?
Each film is in a league of its own. They are both a subject that we now are all tackling on almost a daily basis, yet each act of terrorism is a plot on its own. It’s something that no one can prepare for. This genre of film is unbelievably hard to face, but one that must be faced head on. This world isn’t always about laughs, babies and fluffy dogs; this world is mean, terrifying and real, so is cinema. I feel compelled to make cinema that entertains people, as well as awakens them. The story of these two films couldn’t be further apart. – bollywoodhungama.com