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'Salman has a starry attitude'
One of the things that struck us after watching the Dabangg promos were the stylish action shots of its lead hero Salman Khan.
In fact, some of the action reminded us of Salman's last hit Wanted. Not surprising, considering it is the same man who has directed the action scenes in both the films.
With about 400 odd films under his belt, action director S Vijayan has choreographed some superb sequences in Dabangg.
He tells Nithya Ramani why the film will blow our minds.
What can we look forward to in Dabangg?
After coming up with great action for Wanted, I wanted to do something new for Dabangg. I believe there is a fighter inside every one of us and that emotion comes out while watching my action sequences. When a big man like Salman is the hero of the film, your action should do justice to the star. I knew Salman would do perfect justice to the stunts.
The story is in the action. I believe that there shouldn't be forced action. The emotion and frustration in the preceding and subsequent scenes should come out in the action sequences.
How did Dabangg happen?
Since Salmanbhai liked my work in Wanted, he approached me for Dabangg. Arbaaz Khan (the film's producer) then came and spoke to me. After that, Abhinav (Kashyap, director) came to me with the script.
'I watch a lot of Hollywood films and update myself on new technology'
How was it working with Salman Khan?
Salman is always ready to try something new. His answer is always, 'Okay master, that is perfect. Let's do it.' Since he has good experience in action, we would improvise every scene separately.
He is a good actor and you can mould him as you want. He is very easy to work with. He is fit because he works out everyday. He has a starry attitude but he doesn't throw temper tantrums. When you work with an actor like Salman, you feel like giving more.
How do you manage to try something new every time? Do you take inspiration from other films?
Honestly, I don't watch any Indian films. I watch a lot of Hollywood films and update myself on new technology. I want my action to look realistic and natural. I educate myself. I also take real life instances for inspiration. I want people to be able to relate to the scene thinking that it happened in real.
'Nobody has broken my record'
What kind of inputs did Salman give?
Like I said, he was ready to try anything as he knows I will do good work. Even if I wasn't there for shoot, he would try something new and improvise.
What about Abhinav Kashyap?
Abhinav has worked with director Mani Ratnam (in Yuva). I have known Mani for a long time now and when he came to me with the script, I agreed to do it. He gave me a script with so much action in it. What more input can I ask from him? The script is such that it is based on a corrupt police. When the character is nice, you go along with the character.
What do you expect from this film?
I have done 474 films. This is a record that nobody has broken. I have an image to maintain and have to compete with my own students. So I am sure and confident that I have done some awesome action in this film and people will like it.
'I call the fight scene between Salman and Sonu Sood total emotion'
What are the most difficult or easy scenes in the film?
There is a scene just before intermission, between Sonu Sood's brother (Romeo) and Salmanbhai. Romeo is supposed to kill Salman in the scene, which was difficult because we had to build up the sequence in such a way so that the audience can hardly wait to watch what happens post interval.
The next is another fight scene between Salmanbhai and Sonu Sood. It is towards the climax of the film. It is a very emotional scene. I call it 'total emotion'. I can't reveal much about the scene and how or why they fight. You need to watch it to know what I mean by 'total emotion'.
There are few fight scenes in my other films like Rakhwala and Muqabla that I like. All my films are new and different. So I can't choose one over the other but just to name a few.
I never repeat my films. I am known for not doing remakes. Wanted was the only film that was a remake of Pokiri (Telugu). It gets very boring to do the same film in different languages. Even if I did something new in Wanted, I knew the scenes very well and it doesn't excite me as much as a new film does.
'I know I'm the best'
How was it on the sets? Was there any instance when Salman, Arbaaz or Abhinav said that your work wasn't up to the mark and that they wanted some changes?
No. I know I'm the best. I want to win and I will win. I always outdo myself in all my films. I never take tension on the sets because it is important to stay cool and calm when you are doing action. You can't afford to hurt anyone. I also make sure that others don't get nervous.
What next?
I am directing a Tamil film with my son. I haven't decided on the title and do not want to disclose the cast.