Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan: Reuniting For ‘Vikram Vedha’

Prime Bollywood stars Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan are reuniting after 20 years for “Vikram Vedha.”

The movie, directed by writer-directors Pushkar and Gayatri, tells the story of a troublesome police officer Vikram (Khan) who units out to trace down and kill an equally robust gangster Vedha (Roshan). What unfolds is a cat-and-mouse chase, the place Vedha, a grasp storyteller, helps Vikram peel again layers by way of a collection of tales, resulting in ethical ambiguities.

“It has been 20 years since I labored with Saif on a movie. Coming along with him for ‘Vikram Vedha’ was the most effective factor that would occur to me as an actor,” Roshan instructed Selection. “He’s a co-star who pushes me to ship my finest onscreen. His performing is so actual and highly effective that it uplifts the entire scene. If given a chance, I’d wish to collaborate with him once more.”

“Hrithik is tremendous dedicated and one of many actors that I actually have numerous respect for. And I knew that I’d be challenged, and I’d should work arduous when it comes to the best way I checked out my health and motion to try to sustain,” Khan instructed Selection. “And it frightened me a bit bit, which is at all times good.”

The pair final co-starred in “Na Tum Jaano Na Hum” (2002). Khan was coming off the massively influential “Dil Chahta Hai” (2001) and Roshan was white scorching after his debut as a number one man “Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai” (2000) and “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham…” (2001). Certainly, “Na Tum Jaano Na Hum” was named after one of many hit songs in “Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai.”

“On ‘Na Tum Jaano Na Hum’ we had been children. And I didn’t actually care,” says Khan. “I keep in mind, Salman Khan got here to the set. He mentioned, ‘Why are you working with him? He’s going to kill you on display, as a result of he’s the most popular factor in Bollywood.’ And I mentioned, ‘Effectively, it doesn’t matter.’ And it didn’t matter.”

“I used to be most likely extra acutely aware of crossing swords with him this time than I used to be then and I wished to acquit myself effectively as a result of I don’t suppose I’m going to be higher at what I do than what I’m right now,” Khan added.

After enjoying scores of romantic roles, notably in “Kal Ho Naa Ho” (2003) and “Hum Tum” (2004), for which he received India’s Nationwide Award for finest actor, Khan modified gear with the plum function of Ishwar/Langda Tyagi in Vishal Bhardwaj’s acclaimed “Othello” adaptation “Omkara” (2006). He gained worldwide prominence in 2018 enjoying a world-weary cop in Netflix unique collection “Sacred Video games,” which went on to earn an Emmy nomination.

Roshan has additionally had a phenomenally profitable profession with highlights together with the Krrish franchise, “Jodhaa Akbar” (2008), “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” (2011), “Agneepath” (2012), “Bang Bang!” (2014) and “Struggle” (2019).

“My prep for Vedha’s character started with establishing his world. Understanding his story, his journey and his way of life,” mentioned Roshan. “I began with first working in direction of his bodily aesthetics, whereas prepping to speak and stroll the best way Vedha would as envisioned by Gayatri, Pushkar and myself. As soon as the construction of Vedha was prepared, we delved deeper into his thoughts, his feelings and technique of expression. It was a journey that concerned numerous studying and unlearning, however I’m joyful to have had the chance to play the character of Vedha.”

The movie is a remake of 2017 Tamil-language hit “Vikram Vedha,” additionally directed by Pushkar and Gayatri and starring R. Madhavan and Vijay Sethupathi.

“It’s a really intelligent script, it’s all there on the web page,” mentioned Khan. “I noticed the unique – I noticed it a few occasions. And I used to be very impressed by Madhavan’s efficiency, within the sense that after I got here right down to decoding the function, there have been only a few issues that I assumed I’d do in a different way, to be trustworthy. I used to be like, that is just about the proper manner of enjoying it, besides just a few cultural issues.”

Together with Mani Ratnam’s “Ponniyin Selvan: 1,” “Vikram Vedha” is the large Indian launch on Sept. 30, with the latter getting one of many widest Bollywood releases of all time. After a considerably rocky post-pandemic restart to the theatrical enterprise in India, trade hopes are pinned on these two movies.

“It’s cyclical, we undergo nice phases, after which everybody will get concerned. Then we undergo a little bit of a drought and everybody’s singing doom of the trade and it’s throughout,” mentioned Khan. “However yeah, we’d like some good hits so that folks can begin investing cash extra confidently, once more. I’m sorry to say, I don’t suppose superb movies haven’t run, and we simply must make higher films.”

Roshan added: “I hope the viewers watches ‘Vikram Vedha’ and enjoys it as a lot as we did making it. Fingers crossed.”

“Vikram Vedha” is produced by T-Sequence and Reliance Leisure in affiliation with Friday Filmworks, Jio Studios and YNOT Studios. Producers embody Bhushan Kumar, S. Sashikanth and Bhushan Kumar.