Much before the China Film Festival was about to begin at Siri Fort Auditorium, a swelling crowd of enthusiasts was spotted outside the venue in broad daylight. A busy weekday, traffic chaos and the humid weather did not prove a deterrent. What mattered was the person who had come to inaugurate the joint initiative of ICEC (India China Economic and Cultural Council), the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India, The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, People’s Republic of China and Chinese Embassy in India. They all were there for Jackie Chan, the Hong Kong-based actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. And the actor did not disappoint his fans as he reached the venue much before time and engaged the audience with his candid song and dance performance.
A cultural icon and multi faceted actor, Jackie, shared his love for India, its films, song and dance sequences and his dream role while saying that he is waiting for the right scripts.

Working in a Bollywood film
The actor confesses to be a fan of Indian films and admits he is waiting to star in one. “I would absolutely love to work in a Bollywood film. 10 years ago when I was filming The Myth, I spent a month in India. During that time, I would turn on the TV and watch lots of dance and music, especially on MTV. Lately, I watched 3 Idiots and loved the music in it. Even when I was doing The Myth, I had asked if I can have an Indian version for the same so that I could dance with Mallika (Sherawat). I am very interested in making a Bollywood film. There are some producers and directors who have approached me, but I am waiting for the right script. We have to find a good script and it will have two versions — one for the world and one for India. I have the energy, I can sing and dance. Please call the producers, I am waiting,” he says.

Jackie, the actor
Famous for his action sequences, Jackie is equally known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons and innovative stunts. He has travelled a long way to come this far and in between introduced some unique fighting stunts. Jackie says, “I always thought how to be unique. For the love of action, we experimented with flowers, table napkins and made it a trademark Jackie Chan style.”
For now, Jackie wants to concentrate on acting more than action. “I want to be like Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, who do everything. I don’t know why people move their hands when they talk about Jackie Chan. I want them to say ‘Wow! That’s Jackie Chan, the actor.’ I want to be known as an actor now because action hero has a very short lifespan,” he adds.

Being a role model
Jackie is famous for not accepting a negative role because he takes his public image very seriously. The actor says, “So many people around the world treat me as a role model. There are children who learn from me. I need to be careful. I always tell my friends that as a producer, director and as an artist we have a responsibility towards the society in the world. So many people look at what you are doing or speaking. There is lot of violence in movies these days. So when we are making a film, I correct myself,” he shares and adds that he wants his son to watch his films without absorbing violence.

India China collaboration
Little perturbed on being asked how to diminish the current tensions at the Indo-Sino border, Jackie said, “We should make a movie talking about peace. We can choose our friends, but can’t choose our neighbours. We have been neighbours for thousand years, but why the hitch here. Through films and songs, we can appeal for peace.”

The Hindi dilemma
The actor could not go beyond a simple namaste. “Namaste is what I know. Though I can speak lot of different languages but can’t learn any new ones because anywhere you go, they speak English. Had I shot here twenty years back, I would have learnt Indian language,” he quips.

Coming to India
Though this is his second visit to India, Jackie could not miss talking about Indian savouries. “You can ask my friends anywhere, I am very fond of Indian food. When I am in LA, I would often eat at ‘Bombay Palace’. Ask the owner, he knows me,” says Jackie who admits to be fond of curry chicken and biryani.

India is all waiting for you, Jackie!