Tiger Shroff: “It is an honour to work with Karan Johar”

2016 has been quite the year for Tiger Shroff with two back-to-back films as well as bagging the Youth Icon award, and the theme is set to continue in 2017. Shroff is already preparing for his next ‘Munna Micheal’ and two sequels, including ‘Student of the Year 2’.

Hindustan Times caught up with Shroff in a recent interview about his journey so far and things to come. Summarising how the year has been, the ‘Flying Jatt’ (2016) actor feels content with the opportunities given, “It started on a high. I got the opportunity to take action to another level in Baaghi. When it released, I didn’t expect the kind of numbers it made at the box office. I am grateful for its reception. The next thrill was to perform at an award function alongside Hrithik sir (Roshan), Salman sir (Khan), Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone. Also, I played a superhero in A Flying Jatt, which has been my childhood dream. Unfortunately, it didn’t work as per our expectations. But I’m happy I got the chance to do the film.”

Shroff has signed to do the sequel to ‘Baaghi’ (2016) and ‘Student Of The Year’ (2012), asked if these are a safe bet or an added pressure doing a sequel, he replied, “I am very proud to be a part of both these sequels. Baaghi, which is helmed by Sajid (Nadiadwala) sir, is my territory. The pressure and challenge would now be to take it to another level with Baaghi 2. As for SOTY 2, it is more pressurising for me, because those are big shoes to fill. It was the launch pad for Alia Bhatt, Sidharth Malhotra and Varun Dhawan, and was a successful film that was also loved by people. It is Karan [Johar] sir’s baby. He told me that he gets a lot of mails from people asking him when he would go on floors with the sequel. It is an honour to work with Karan sir.”

Shroff is very much grateful that Johar feels he capable of taking the ‘SOTY’ franchise forward. Asked if he can relate to a character in the story Shroff says he wasn’t like any of them. “I was like none of them [in school]. They were popular and outgoing. I wasn’t like that. I would keep to myself. I was shy and an introvert. The only time I would really be out there was on sports day. That’s when people would scream my name and cheer for me. That would be my day.”

Shroff who has been linked up with different actresses, says he’s more tolerant and doesn’t lose his cool he thinks it’s part and parcel of being in the industry. “Now, I am more relaxed about it. It happens with every actor. I am not the only one. It is a part and parcel of who you are. I am grateful for who I am and be noticed. I don’t lose my cool and I don’t blame the media — it is their job.”

So is he in love?…”Yes, I am madly in love (pauses), but with my work (laughs).”