Disha Patani, the Indian leading lady of Hong Kong actor and martial artist Jackie Chan for the upcoming movie “Kung Fu Yoga” is a dream come true for her.
She says that Jackie Chan was impressed with her in her Bollywood debut movie with Sushant Sing Raiput entitled “MS Dhoni: The Untold Story,” that she was chosen to be his leading lady in “Kung Fu Yoga.”
However, typical with a Jackie Chan movie, Patani will be performing martial arts, intense action, and gymnastics in the movie, reports the Deccan Chronicle.
When she was asked if she was to be the love interest of Jackie Chan’s character in the movie, Patani explained that the films of Jackie typically don’t focus on the love story but something that is brewing between their two characters.
She added that she hopes that filmmakers also see her as an actress who can punch as well as dance after seeing “Kung Fu Yoga.”
“Kung Fu Yoga” is an adventure thriller that follows a Chinese archaeology professor, played by Jackie, who teams up with an Indian professor, played by Patani to locate a lost Magadha treasure.
Directed by Stanley Tong, the production team recently shot for a fun song at Jodhpur’s Mehrangarh fort and palace.
An honorary Oscars for Jackie
In the middle of last month, Jackie Chan was one of the four recipients of an honorary Oscars from the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences during the Governors Awards, reports The Guardian.
It was veteran Hollywood actor and Academy Award winner Tom Hanks who introduced Jackie Chan during the event where he acknowledged the blend of slapstick comedy and martial arts virtuosity that Chan has become famous for. He also acknowledged that the Hong Kong actor was historically underrepresented at the Oscars.
Upon receiving the honorary Oscars, Chan said that standing at the podium is a dream come true for him He explained that after 56 years in the film industry, making more than 200 films, and breaking so many bones, he finally have something which he can call his own.
The 62-year-old actor said that winning the award marked the fulfillment of an ambition he had conceived 23 years ago when touching one of the statuettes at Sylvester Stallone’s house.
Stallone was in attendance at the event, alongside Denzel Washington, Lupita Nyong’o, Nicole Kidman, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Judd Apatow, Helen Mirren, and Amy Adams.
Gone back to the ‘Rush Hour’ formula
Not counting his stints in the “Kung Fu Panda” films where he lent his voice to Master Monkey, Jackie Chan has not had a global box-office hit since “The Karate Kid,” shown in 2010.
His “Chinese Zodiac” movie released in 2012 did fairly well but not as impressive as his previous box-office successes. And his “Police Story 2013” the following year was a domestic hit in the Chinese market, but not so much in the international scene.
Jackie Chan appears to be turning things around with the recent release of his latest movie entitled “Skiptrace” which has generated an impressive $60 million at the Chinese box-office a few months ago.
The film paired Jackie Chan with American comedy actor Johnny Knoxville and opened quite strongly in China despite receiving mixed reviews from fans.
The $60 million opening weekend gross of “Skiptrace” is actually the biggest debut in the Chinese market for the Asian superstar. Before “Skiptrace,” Jackie Chan’s biggest movie debut in China was with the movie “Rush Hour” where he starred with American comedy actor Chris Tucker.
Critics believe that the reason why “Skiptrace” was a big success is because Jackie Chan has decided to go back to the same action-comedy formula that he has so perfected in his movies including the very popular “Rush Hour” film series.