Spot the Hero: In conversation with Heropanti actors

Jackie Shroff’s son is all geared up for his first film. There was a lot of curiosity about Tiger much before he was launched but the director says that he was immune to all the hoopla.


Strutting around a hotel room in Dubai, debutant Tiger Shroff seemed very excited about his first visit to the city. He told City Times that he wished he could stay longer to learn more about Dubai and see the big hotels
and the Burj Khalifa. He had dropped into town recently with co-star Kriti Sanon and director Sabbir Khan to promote his debut film Heropanti. Kriti described Tiger as someone who is very focused and very disciplined. She said, “The way he controls his diet and practice, I think it is very tough to do it and as a debutant it’s great because that kind of discipline takes you places.” When we spotted him eyeing the cookies and brownies in the room but not eating them, we got the gist of what his co-star was trying to say. The 24-year-old actor instead asked one of his staff members to eat some brownies and waited for his reaction on the taste.
Jackie Shroff’s son is all geared up for his first film. There was a lot of curiosity about Tiger much before he was launched but the director says that he was immune to all the hoopla. He said, “Very organically there was a script that was in place first. At some point I decided it required new faces and I think I met him around the same time and it just clicked. He had the qualities I was looking for for the script, and I felt he would portray the character in the best possible way. Even though he is Jackie Shroff’s son, if he was not right for the part, I don’t think he would be here today.”
Tiger said that what attracted him the most to this film was the fact the his character was very different from him as a person in reality. “As an actor I think it is very important to get out of your comfort zone and do something that is not you. And also Sabbir sir told me there was a lot of action in the movie and after getting to know him, he saw what my potential was and he enhanced those points.”
The director says that he has just scratched the surface of Tiger’s potential. “He has lived up to the kind of expectation I had in my mind for my character. I have explored his talent as a dancer and what he can do in terms of action. In Bollywood films I think that is a key to success. I think if he works with the director who can tap his potential, it would be a milestone.”
The first deal
Kriti, an engineer by profession, who left Delhi to try her luck in movies, clearly remembers the moment she knew her life was going to change. “I am glad I did modelling during my engineering days, because Sabbir saw one of my commercials and that is how I was approached. Sabbir gave me the narration of the script, and then we had a scene test where we (Tiger and I) did a scene together. After we packed up, Sabbir told me we have a meeting with Sajid Nadiadwala. While we were in the car he said: “Krits, in ten minutes you are going to sign the film.” I was shocked because I was not expecting it to come to me so soon. We then had some Ferrero Rocher and signed the film.”
Tiger recalls how his father Jackie Shroff recorded the moment of him signing the contract on camera. “I remember the first time I met Sabbir; it was very casual, primarily because I was not sure what I wanted to do with my life. A year later we met again and this time he saw a positive change in me as I was more focused. My manager got a call and told my parents. We had a formal meeting when I signed the contract and my father was recording the entire moment on tape,” said Tiger.
Tiger said that he has grown up watching his father’s films. “At one time, I used to watch one film of my father’s every day. My grandmother used to have tapes of all his movies. I could watch Parinda, Gardish and Angaar any number of times. My favourite is Parinda.” Tiger also credits his Spider-Man fixation for his affinity towards action roles. “I am a big fan of superheroes like Spider-Man. I sound childish but I am crazy about them. Bruce Lee has been an inspiration ever since I was a child, so I have seen all his films. That is why I am into martial arts.”
On which Bollywood actors he would love to work with in the future, he said, “I am a big fan of Hrithik Roshan, the way he gives attention to every detail of the craft. I hope to imbibe that someday as I gain experience and age.
“Amongst the actresses, I am not choosy at all and also I am not in a position to choose. So first I would like to be accepted myself. I think all of them are talented and beautiful in their own way; I am fine with any of them. Right now I am happy with my heroine.”
Kriti on her part was all praise fo Tiger. “He talks very less. He is very well brought up. He respects everyone on the set, right from the spot boy to his staff.”
Junior Shroff intervened saying, “enough, enough” and “she is a superb actress…as you can see. Very well rehearsed”,  but later echoed her thoughts saying he was indeed a shy guy. “Initially I was a little afraid because she is so confident and outspoken. She expresses whatever is going on in her heart. I am a shy boy and had a tough time opening up to her.”
Sabbir ended the interview saying, “They complement each other.”