Gadar-2 antagonist’s special interview with JK Media
Aman Zutshi
Jammu: The people all over the world are still mesmerised by the aura of the Gadar-1 which was released in 2001 and became blockbuster in the Indian cinema history. But now its sequel Gadar-2 is going to be hit theatres on 11 August this year, which has already garnered so much attention by the cinephiles all over India.
The main antagonist/ villain in the film has been played by Manish Wadhwa who has been part of some big budget daily soaps and has also acted in several films. Manish Wadhwa has arrived here in city of sanctums in Jammu and has given a special interview to JK Media’s senior Journalist Mr Ashish Kohli.
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Ashish Kohli: Sir, you are a part of a Blockbuster film. Everyone is waiting patiently for the release day of Gadar-2 i.e. August 11 and I hope you’re also. The Gadar-1 was a huge hit of Dir Anil Sharma and when it was screened in Jammu, we didn’t got film’s tickets easily. Tell me about your role in this film and how glad you are to be a part of this movie?
Manish Wadhwa: I can’t apprise you much about my role in Gadar-2 but I’m so fortunate that I got such a significant role in this film. It is a responsibility upon me to play this negative role in the film as Amrish Puri ji is no more. I’m playing the role of Pakistani general who is after Tara Singh (Sunny Deol). I can’t tell you more than this as audience has to watch the movie and they will tell what they will feel.
Ashish Kohli: You talked about deceased veteran actor Amrish Puri who is no more. If he would have alive he would have played the role of villain. What you have to say on working with such a big director Mr Anil Sharma and how big this onus you see for yourself?
Manish Wadhwa: It was very difficult job for me to play antagonist in Gadar-2 to perform that character and do justice with it again as the film demand. I was able to do it with the blessings of God and my family. I’m not able to comprehend how things went. Anil Ji is very glad and Sunny ji used to advise me . I don’t know how this happened but it is just happening.
Ashish Kohli: Is there any scene in Gadar-2 like the iconic hand-pump uproot scene in the first part?
Wadhwa: I also had the same question in my mind when I read the film’s script and the people will only get to know when they will watch Gadar-2.
Ashish Kohli: Today the films are evaluated on the basis of box office earnings but Anil Sharma’s decision of re-releasing Gadar-1 has gathered very good response from the public. Did you thought that Gadar-1 release will get such overwhelming response?
Wadhwa: Gadar-1 is among one of the few best films and whenever if one watches it on television or online they get connect to it emotionally. The Zee studios and Anil ji has tried to show the film to young audience who has not watched this film. The film is in 4K to meet the expectations of new generation and to give it a contemporary aura. When I watched remastered Gadar-1 with Anil ji I got goosebumps and if people watch it again with second part they will enjoy it.
Kohli: Tell me about your journey? You have also played high profile roles like Chanakya. Tell me about winning the best villain role for which you are lauded as Amrish Puri?
Wadhwa: In 2019, in an award show I was called on the stage to receive award of best villain by Kiku Sharda who parodies Sunny Deol and Aditya Narayan who was hosting the program. I don’t know how negative acting got manifested in me that time I wasn’t even remotely associated with Gadar-2. Then I got offer to play role of villain in a south Indian film ‘Shyam Singha Roy’. Its director introduced me in a presser that I have choosen a Bollywood actor for my film who is performing the antagonist’s role just like Amrish Puri. I don’t know how this got manifested in me. I apologise and want to say that to reach to the acting stature of Amrish Puri ji is very tough and even if I reach very slightly to his talent that will be a very proud moment for me. This is our tribute to Amrish Puri Ji.
Kohli: What you will say about the release day of Gadar-2? Because on its release date other big films are also going to be screen in theaters.
Wadhwa: It’s very important for our film industry to never stop working as it has faced challenging times during corona as we all know. Different movies have different viewers and good content films are watched by everyone.
Kohli: What is your experience on coming to Jammu alias City of Temples?
Wadhwa: I had to come to Vashino Devi shrine to fullfil my mother’s wish because when the last time I came here she prayed for me at Vaishno Devi shrine due to which I got the role of Chanakya. Now this time I came here because my wife made a wish to Vaishno Mata so we came here.
