Brothers- Updates #2 - Page 32

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For the team of Brothers in Delhi, it was a jumping, punching, cake-cutting press conference. And why not, after all, it was the leading lady Jacqueline Fernandez's 30th birthday on August 11, when along with the actor, Akshay Kumar and Sidharth Malhotra landed in the capital to address the media. In between posing for a gazillion photographs, in a million more poses, the Brothers' trio answered questions ranging from the film to Akshay's hotness and what not.

The near-two-hour delay notwithstanding, when the team entered this hall at an upscale hotel in Delhi, all eyes instantly got their subject on focus: Akshay Kumar, Sidharth Malhotra and Jacqueline Fernandez. Jacqueline cut one of the six birthday cakes that she had to yesterday, and then settled down along with her co-actors and began speaking to the ones present at the presser.

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Akshay being the senior-most among the three, the task of introducing themselves (a drill that was hardly required) was on him. Kumar said, "We're very excited about Brothers, because this is one of the films which has got the best action I've seen in my career. This film is very close to my heart because there's a lot of martial arts in it. I've always said that I'm a stuntman first and an actor later. This film has a lot of drama, emotions... the fights come later on. The emotion and drama are the USP of the film. I think I can take Sidharth's name and say that we're both very excited about Brothers because we've worked a lot. The climax has taken 52 days to picturise."

And elaborating on the emotions in the film, Sidharth uses his own tagline, "It is Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham with MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). There's the same drama... two sons, one estranged, and there's all the emotion. The film shows how men are so closed in their relationships, how they don't display any emotion. In the film, that is what we've tried and addressed. Through the fight, we resolve our family issues."

The discussion veered towards supporting amateurs in the industry, and Akshay recounted his collaboration with numerous new actors and directors. "I've worked with a lot of new directors, new actors, new talents. I've been very supportive of them all through. I've worked with at least 16/17 new directors. I can understand when anybody comes looking for work, what goes on in their mind. Because once upon a time, even I was there. It's that feeling... every day you feel that 'Today IS the day I'm going to get my work'. I'm always there for people who need help," said the Gabbar Is Back star.

And since Amjad Khan's iconic character from Sholay and the film both turn 40 this year, the Brothers' team was asked to share their Sholay memories. Jacqueline's answer was, "Sholay is one of the first Hindi films that I've seen in my life."

And then of course, Akshay spoke about his love for the Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra-starrer, "I loved Sholay so much that I made a film called Gabbar Is Back."

So would he want to see a remake of Sholay? "Naa... Sholay can't be remade. Trying to make it again will be injustice to the film, and if I'm asked to play any character in that film, Jai or Veeru, I would refuse. The way they've made Sholay, it's impossible to remake it," said Akshay.

Among the media at the event, someone asked how despite spending so many years in the industry, Akshay was still so 'hot'. First came the outpouring of gratefulness from the actor, and then the jokes, "All the credit goes to my parents and their genes. Then there's Delhi food to praise, because I'm a Delhiite," and then Sidharth quipped, "Chawanprash!"

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"The most important thing is don't take your work so seriously that when you're working, you've forgotten to smile, you've forgotten to laugh, you've forgotten to joke around. We've done this very serious film, but trust me, behind the camera, we were always laughing, smiling, and that has always been my motto. Work should be your passion, you should enjoy your work. And that will only happen if you smile and laugh all the time," said Kumar.

"I can totally vouch for that," said Sidharth, "No matter what we are in front of the camera, the moment the word 'Cut' is uttered, Akshay Sir is joking, laughing, we're playing cricket on the sets, cracking Punjabi jokes and what not. He has reached this level, yet he enjoys himself so much. That is a big reason he looks the way he does."

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