I love to prove people wrong-Tiger Shroff

Tiger Shroff talks about hits under his belt and about being the youngest actor to have a franchise to his name
Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; June 7, 2016)


Baaghi turned out to be a superhit. You must be overjoyed!
Completely! It’s like the best feeling ever. The audiences have been very appreciative and supportive towards me. Especially, the single screen crowd — they are responsible for where I am today. Baaghi was my second film and it released after a long gap after my first film Heropanti. I am glad they didn’t forget me after Heropanti. Our USP was the action which brought in the audiences. I am in a very happy space currently.

Baaghi’s first day collection was on par with Akshay’s Airlift. Comment.
It’s a great honour for me to have a film which opens at par with films starring big league actors. We had not predicted it at all. We obviously received a lot of love for the trailer and the promos, but when our film opened almost like Akshay sir’s film, it seemed like a mission accomplished.

Do you feel like a star yet?
No, not yet! (Smiles) I still feel like this is my first film. I say that because in Baaghi, I have almost used most of my potential, action-wise. So in A Flying Jatt, if I make it three in a row, then I can say I am in a safe space. Although even then, I don’t think I would feel or act like a star.

You cater to the single screen audience just like your dad did in his initial years. You think that is working in your favour?
For some reason, since my very first film, the single screen audiences could relate to me really well. Every time there’s a fight or I would dance or say lines like ‘Sab ko aati nahi, meri jaati nahi’ or ‘Abhi toh maine start kiya hai’, they whistle and hoot. I don’t know why. Maybe because the films I have done are those typical masala entertainers. These are the Hindi films we have been brought up on. Keeping that in mind, I think that’s why single screen audiences have accepted me.

Will you continue to playing to the gallery?
Actually, my next film A Flying Jatt isn’t a masala entertainer. The aim is to try and bring about a change in the way we make our cinema today. The motive is to do films which give me the space to show a different side of me. Audiences love me doing action but then again, I want to do more of it.

You are touted as the ultimate action hero. Is that flattering?
That’s too much too soon. The word ultimate is only achievable after you have been here for a while. I have just started my career. Abhi toh maine start kiya hai (we burst out laughing). The compliments are definitely flattering but I don’t like patting myself in the back. It feels good but I really can’t explain it. I still want to work harder and I don’t feel I have accomplished anything yet. Like I said, if I make it three in a row after Flying Jatt, I will be in a comfortable space.

How different is the action and set up of A Flying Jatt from maybe a Baaghi?
In Heropanti the action was raw. Baaghi was stylised, more towards the martial arts. Baaghi allowed me to explore my potential beyond Heropanti. In A Flying Jatt, you see a little bit of everything there. Since, it’s a superhero film, there’s VFX involved with my national talent. So it will be a nice mix.

There were jokes around you when you started off. but now people have accepted you.
The victory is always sweeter in the end. I thrive on criticism and I love to prove people wrong. That’s the only way I can grow. I can use them as my strengths. If there’s one talent I have, it’s that nobody can outwork me for sure. And I think that’s what differentiates me. Everybody works hard in a way but I feel I have an edge over others there.

Have you raised your fee?
I don’t know ya (smiles). Who’s been telling you all this? I am very uncomfortable talking about money. I don’t discuss money at all, I leave it to the managers.

You have a huge connect with kids. You think the superhero film will add to that?
Ever since Hrithik Roshan, I feel nobody has had a kids fan following. And it has worked in my favour in both my films. So yes, Flying Jatt being a superhero film in the family genre, especially a kids’ film, definitely I think Remo sir and Balaji have kept that in mind. I also know that it’s a huge plus point for me.

Baaghi 2 is also happening. You are possibly the youngest actor to have a franchise!
It looks like my career is just going to be a bunch of franchise films! (Laughs) A lot of people are mailing me to do a Heropanti 2 as well now. People have loved these films which is why they are being made into franchises. I would love to revisit all these films. However, as an actor, I would also want to do something different, evolve and grow.

Other than action, what’s that one genre of films you want to try now?
I want to do musicals and explore my dancing talent more through such films. Music and dance are the biggest forms of expression. You can dance when you are happy, angry. The movement just keep changing according to emotions. Maybe like a High School Musical or a Grease. Also, I want to do real love-stories which will be just about pure romance. I love watching them on screen and I would love to do one which is just about love and no action! (Laughs)

But you’re doing ABCD 3!
When did you read this now? I have not even been offered the film. I was offered ABCD 2, but that time, I could not do it because I had to shoot for Baaghi then.

Okay, so are you game for an out and out dance film someday?
Of course, I would love to do a dance film soon! It’s a dream come true. Today, dance films are working really well and it will be a great space to jump into.