Tiger Shroff and Shraddha Kapoor have been spending a lot of time together promoting their recent release Baaghi but now that the film has released to positive box-office collections, the star pair is in a mood to put up their feet and chill.
I meet them at producer Sajid Nadiadwala’s swanky office in Andheri and while we catch up on how life has been treating them, I narrate stories to them about their childhood when I visited their parents many decades ago.
Shraddha as a baby never had to be warned to keep quiet on the sets; it was as if she just knew it when the shot was on!
Tiger Shroff as a child looked like an angel till he began to cry and brought the house down! Once he was part of a photo shoot planned with Jackie Shroff but junior decided to throw a tantrum and Jackie had to cancel the shoot and take the little devil for a car ride.
They listen to me in rapt attention, ‘Was I really such a pest” Tiger asks a bit embarrassed and Shradha nudges me to say ‘Yes’.
They are not in a mood for serious conversation and I play along and indulge them.
Q1: Your
parents must be relieved that the film has released and you can take a break.
Shraddha Kapoor: O yes, a break is necessary after every film and another break after the film promotion is completed. My dad and aunt tell me that they never did any promotions in their time but today it is an integral part of filmmaking.
Tiger Shroff: Yes, my dad tells me that they spoke to just a few journalists and then it was left to the producer how he planned his release. Today the media has multiplied and the promotions are heavily dependent on the actors. Shraddha and I have been talking to so many people that we have lost count of what we have said to whom.
Q2: Both of you come from film families does that influence your career choices?
Tiger:
It is only natural for me to consult my parents about every offer that comes my way, after all I’m just two films old and need their guidance. Dad gives me his opinion but leaves the final decision to me; he says I have to follow my heart. Mom has been an actor too so her feedback matters as well.
When Heropanti was offered all of us felt it was the right vehicle to be launched and when Sabbir Khan offered me Baaghi we were more than happy to say ‘yes’.
Shraddha: I have done more films than Tiger but trust me the process of making choices has not been easier. It is definitely an asset to belong to a family where almost everyone is connected to cinema. I have grown up listening to discussions on cinema at home and when I have to make a career decision, dad is my first destination. He guides me but says that eventually I have to spend time with the unit and I have to feel comfortable.
Q3: And how comfortable were both of you with director Sabbir Khan?
Shraddha: The first time they approached me, they just had a story idea but I liked him and wanted to work with Tiger so I said ‘yes’. By the time they were ready to roll it seemed like I would not be able to manage my dates so had to opt out with a heavy heart. Then there were further delays on their side and Sabbir sir said they have decided to wait for me however long it takes. I was deeply touched.
It is very reassuring for an actor when a director says he only wants you for the part. I have never done action in any film before this but somehow he was convinced I’ll be able to do it and that was very comforting to me.
Tiger: Sabbir sir launched me in Heropanti and it is holding his hand I have learnt to walk and talk in films. If people see an improvement in my second film the credit goes entirely to Sabbir sir. He is my guru and nobody can take his place, no matter how many films I do in future. It is a special emotion, special relationship.
Q4: What about your relationship with each other, how special is that?
Shraddha: We are bonded for sure. Tiger is the most disciplined actor I have worked with. He is a perfectionist and aspires to give his best in every frame of the film.
Tiger: Ha ha, I have to push myself because Shraddha is very hard working and at all times very grounded.
(Bhawana Somaaya has been writing on cinema for 30 years and is the author of 12 books.)
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