Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff bowled audiences over with his adrenaline-pumping action entertainer WAR, directed by Siddharth Anand and produced by Aditya Chopra. The visual spectacle became an all-time blockbuster in the history of Indian cinema and Hrithik-Tiger made the country drool over them with his effortless charm and mastery over breath-taking action sequences.
On the second anniversary of the humongous hit, Hrithik reveals his first reaction to WAR’s script. He said, “Well, it’s complicated. When I read the script I didn’t see anything in it that excited me. It was too frivolous and superficial. And I was into ‘real’ cinema-like Super 30 at the time. On hearing my reaction both Sid and Adi rushed to my house and it took 5 mins worth of reframing for me to GET the film. Adi said look at it as an entertainer like Dhoom: 2.”
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Hrithik added, “And then we sat and went through the entire script AGAIN and I thoroughly enjoyed it. And also realized my folly. Sometimes, it’s important to GET how the director wants to interpret the script. And having done Bang Bang with Sid, I could trust in what they were saying. I saw it as an opportunity for me to try and bring in weight and depth into the film with Kabir’s character which is otherwise not seen in such movies. That aspect really excited me. I think the best way to make movies which are ‘not so deep’ is to have characters who are really, really deep. It’s fun then.”
The superstar credits Aditya Chopra and Siddharth Anand for their vision to create the biggest action entertainer India has ever seen! He said, “I think it’s safe to say that it was the spectacular vision of Sid Anand and Adi Chopra as film-makers who made it what it is today. As a contributor, I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of War and the response it received only encourages me to follow my gut and work with my whole heart and soul.”
Hrithik has always set new benchmarks for himself and the Indian film industry with his body of work. WAR too set benchmarks in action, dance, scale – it was a spectacle. Ask him what makes him a genre pushing superstar and he says, “Personally, I’m an adventure junkie and that somewhere spills over to the work I do and the people I associate with. Professionally, I've always seen acting as living through the varied stories and onscreen characters I have been lucky to be a part of. My choice of films have been instinctive, I enjoy exploring and immersing myself with different psychologies, personas and experiences.”
Hrithik added, “The exercise only broadens myself as a human being, makes me more sensitive to my surroundings and people. Every film has shaped me as a being, the journey has been one of learnings and unlearnings - both of which I truly cherish. Yes, there were risks and venturing in unknown waters can be challenging but with it was the thrill. The absolute adrenaline rush I feel with doing things that are new for me. I do not set out to set a precedent for anyone, but myself. That's what keeps me going..”
Vaani said, “I believe with every film, one discovers a new dimension to themselves. You gain experience, new learnings and observations as an artiste. It helps build a better foundation for future work. I do feel till date, I’ve been blessed with some of the most beautiful songs in my filmography be it Gulabi, Nashe Si chad Gayi or Ghungroo.”
Hrithik is a dream co-star to have for anyone. Vaani spoke about how she achieved that sparkling chemistry with him as a super fresh pairing on screen. She says, “I’m happy it was perceived that way. Hrithik’s phenomenal in whatever he does, be it acting or dance. A very self-aware individual, hardworking and an intelligent artist. I’m just grateful to have had the opportunity to share the screen space with him.”
She added, “It’s been an honour and a delight to share the screen with him. Hopefully, next time, given the opportunity, I will work even harder so I can perform half as good as he does.”
He said, “WAR took the benchmark of action films in India to another level. I’m deeply proud to have this film in my filmography and I thank my director Siddharth Anand and my producer Aditya Chopra for bringing to me this special project that also gave me the opportunity to share the screen with my on screen idol Hrithik Roshan.”
Tiger added, “WAR also made me raise the bar on the kind of action that I could do on-screen and I enjoyed the challenge thoroughly. I was physically drained, bruised and battered but it was all worth it. I’m humbled with the love and appreciation that the film has received from every quarter.”
WAR had Tiger playing the role of an intelligent undercover operative Khalid and he defied gravity to pull off death-defying stunts. Ask him to pick one action sequence that was most difficult for him to pull off and he says, “That’s a tough one! I would say that my introduction scene in WAR in which I did hand to hand combat without my director cutting the scene was the most difficult one that I have done to date.”
He added, “It pushed me to deliver something really visually breath-taking on the big screen and I will always cherish this scene. WAR presented me like never before and I’m thankful to the makers for putting so much belief in me. It has given me unanimous love and it’s made my life very tough as I have to only better myself every time I do action on screen.”
WAR pitted Tiger against his on-screen idol Hrithik Roshan. He reveals, “Hrithik has been an idol and inspiration to me. I was thrilled to have not only gotten a chance to work with him but also dance along with him!”
Tiger added, “His discipline and dedication to the craft is what legends are made of and I learnt so much each day I spent with him. It was my wish to share the screen with him and WAR fulfilled that so I will always be grateful to everyone for making that happen for me.”
