Dance sensation Prabhu Deva looked ten years younger at a film promotion in Chennai last week.
The Tamil actor, with three Bollywood films under his belt, has made Mumbai his home now, but was in Chennai to meet the media there for the first time in two years. Deva was completely fuss-free and in no hurry to wrap up the meeting. Talking about his upcoming Hindi film, Action Jackson, Deva says it is his first with Ajay Devgan.
“Ajay is a really cool guy. This is an emotional subject with doses of action, love and comedy in it. Ajay has danced from the heart. Like Wanted and Rowdy Rathore, this film has got everything.”
Deva had worked with Devgn 25 years ago when he choreographed the Hindi film Singers, but the film never saw the light of day.
Action Jackson has three heroines — Sonakshi Sinha, Yami Gautham and Femina Miss India 2010 Manasvi Mamgai, who is making her Bollywood debut.
Song sequence in Austria
A major portion of the film is complete and Deva will soon be leaving for Austria to film a song sequence.
Ask him why Sinha is a part of all his films and pat comes the reply: “Sonakshi is a very professional actress who is punctual and has no tantrums. Not to forget that she acts and dances well too.”
What about the tagline of Action Jackson, which reads: ‘Act like a criminal to catch a criminal’? Deva said: “Ajay’s character is criminally good.” He would not reveal more details.
It’s been five years in the Hindi industry for this Chennai talent, who began as an assistant choreographer to his father, dance master Sundaram, soon emerging from his father’s shadow to find his groove not only on the dancefloor but also as an actor and director.
So, how good is his Hindi now? Deva laughs. “Not good, but Bollywood industry folks have forgiven me.”
Apart from directing, Deva also stars in the sequel of ABCD 2.
When will he return to doing a Tamil film? “The industry is big and I want to make a good film,” said Deva. “I hope to do that,” he promised, “but when I can’t say.”
