Bollywood superstar talks to Sunny Malik about his new film Race 2
Bollywood royalty Saif Ali Khan was in London last week to promote his latest film Race 2 in the UK.
Saif Ali Khan reprises his role of Ranveer Singh takes the story forward in the sequel to UK hit Race (2008). In Race 2, he joins hands with Arman Mallick (John Abraham) and Aleena (Deepika Padukone), who head the Asian Mafia in Turkey, for a business deal but of course, there is more to it and also involves the sultry ‘Lat Lag Gayee’ Jacqueline Fernandez, who plays Omisha in the film.
The film will also see’s the return of Robert D’Costa (Anil Kapoor) who has a new assistant, Cherry (Ameesha Patel).
The Plot moves at a reckless speed as friends turn foes at the drop of a hat, from one locale to another with unexpected twists and turns taking forward the legacy of Race.
Our Bollywood reporter, Sunny Malik caught up with the Nawab and spoke about his honeymoon with Kareena Kapoor Khan, the leading ladies of Race 2, playing negative roles and much more..
Looking back at 2012, how has the year been for you?
It was a very good year. There were some disappointments with Agent Vinod not turning out the way I wanted it to. Then there was happiness and reprieve in terms of Cocktail’s success. There was personal success and happiness in terms of getting married (to Kareena Kapoor).
It was a very good year. There were some disappointments with Agent Vinod not turning out the way I wanted it to. Then there was happiness and reprieve in terms of Cocktail’s success. There was personal success and happiness in terms of getting married (to Kareena Kapoor).
How was your honeymoon with Kareena Kapoor Khan? You were in Gstaad (Switzerland) and then came to London.
It was very good. We were in Switzerland in Gstaad. It is a lovely place, like a fairy tale village. Kareena is very fond of it and I love it too. The air there is so clean and nice. We were waking up, exercising and then we went into an outdoor pool surrounded by the Alps, which looks absolutely stunning. Afterwards, we would go for a walk in town, take lots of DVD’s and watch some nice TV shows in the afternoon and get ready for the evening. They have really quaint and beautiful restaurants with some amazing and healthy food. We did this for about two weeks, which was great. Then, we came to London where the drinking and eating has gotten a little bit out of hands (laughs). It’s time to get back on the wagon. We have fallen back a bit in London.
It was very good. We were in Switzerland in Gstaad. It is a lovely place, like a fairy tale village. Kareena is very fond of it and I love it too. The air there is so clean and nice. We were waking up, exercising and then we went into an outdoor pool surrounded by the Alps, which looks absolutely stunning. Afterwards, we would go for a walk in town, take lots of DVD’s and watch some nice TV shows in the afternoon and get ready for the evening. They have really quaint and beautiful restaurants with some amazing and healthy food. We did this for about two weeks, which was great. Then, we came to London where the drinking and eating has gotten a little bit out of hands (laughs). It’s time to get back on the wagon. We have fallen back a bit in London.
Tell me about working with the actresses in Race 2.
Ameesha Patel…
Ameesha and I did not really have much to do. She has played a cute kind of role in the film. It is a bit of a difficult role because you have to be ditzy and charming but at the same time quite sexy. She has to wear high heels, short skirts like a classic blonde except that she is not blonde (laughs). She is brilliant though and it was great fun.
Ameesha and I did not really have much to do. She has played a cute kind of role in the film. It is a bit of a difficult role because you have to be ditzy and charming but at the same time quite sexy. She has to wear high heels, short skirts like a classic blonde except that she is not blonde (laughs). She is brilliant though and it was great fun.
Jacqueline Fernandez…
Jacqueline, I think, is playing a star making role. I hope I am right in thinking so. Like what happened to Katrina Kaif after Race. I don’t know if it will happen to her. Kaif’s song (Zara Zara Touch Me) was something else and she knew it. I remember she bought this dress and said I just want to kill it. Jacqueline has also been given the same platform. She has killed it as well. Let’s see what happens.
Jacqueline, I think, is playing a star making role. I hope I am right in thinking so. Like what happened to Katrina Kaif after Race. I don’t know if it will happen to her. Kaif’s song (Zara Zara Touch Me) was something else and she knew it. I remember she bought this dress and said I just want to kill it. Jacqueline has also been given the same platform. She has killed it as well. Let’s see what happens.
Deepika Padukone…
It is not the first time that I am working with Deepika Padukone. It was fun. She looked a little shell shocked sometimes because Abbas-Mustan have a unique way of communicating and speak very slowly and softly. They don’t say too much. I have seen her with Homi and Imtiaz, who are more like friends and will talk a lot and hold your hand and teach you how it should be done. Whereas, Abbas-Mustan will say ‘Thoda Aur Sexy Karo’ (Do it sexier [while directing a scene]) (laughs). I would laugh and would say go for it. But again, she approached it right and added some complexity and depth to her character, which is why I say that she will go very far. It is almost a negative role but she has given it sympathy. I was happy to have shared this with her as well.
It is not the first time that I am working with Deepika Padukone. It was fun. She looked a little shell shocked sometimes because Abbas-Mustan have a unique way of communicating and speak very slowly and softly. They don’t say too much. I have seen her with Homi and Imtiaz, who are more like friends and will talk a lot and hold your hand and teach you how it should be done. Whereas, Abbas-Mustan will say ‘Thoda Aur Sexy Karo’ (Do it sexier [while directing a scene]) (laughs). I would laugh and would say go for it. But again, she approached it right and added some complexity and depth to her character, which is why I say that she will go very far. It is almost a negative role but she has given it sympathy. I was happy to have shared this with her as well.
Race 2 was supposed to be shot in London. Do you enjoy filming in London?
I feel that London is a second home. I enjoy interacting with the press here more than anywhere else. I think we have a lot in common. There are many benefits of shooting in the UK. One of the drawbacks, of course, is that once you have filmed here, it might be difficult to shoot something new. I don’t agree with that though because there are many sights to London. It’s an amazing city and very multifaceted. I look forward to shooting my next film here.
I feel that London is a second home. I enjoy interacting with the press here more than anywhere else. I think we have a lot in common. There are many benefits of shooting in the UK. One of the drawbacks, of course, is that once you have filmed here, it might be difficult to shoot something new. I don’t agree with that though because there are many sights to London. It’s an amazing city and very multifaceted. I look forward to shooting my next film here.
Deepika recently said that all the characters in Race 2 have a negative shade to them. Do you enjoy playing a negative role?
You know, not anymore really. I think it is more interesting and challenging to play heroic characters. If you have realistic characters, they don’t need to be negative. Sometimes, if it is too good to be true, then it’s too sacred and sweet. Race 2 is not really negative; at least my character is not.
You know, not anymore really. I think it is more interesting and challenging to play heroic characters. If you have realistic characters, they don’t need to be negative. Sometimes, if it is too good to be true, then it’s too sacred and sweet. Race 2 is not really negative; at least my character is not.
Produced by Tips Films, an Abbas-Mustan directorial, Race 2, starring Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, John Abraham, Jacqueline Fernandez, Anil Kapoor and Ameesha Patel releases in UK cinemas on 25th January 2013.
