In a recent interaction with the seasoned actor, Arjun Rampal, he enthralled us with insights into his latest cinematic venture, ‘Crakk—Jeetegaa Toh Jiyegaa’. The opening remark from Rampal resonated with determination, as he stated, “If it wasn’t hard, I wouldn’t have done it.” This kind of zeal encapsulates the essence of an actor who is ready to transcend boundaries. In this self-reflective film that brims with adrenaline, he narrates that right from the first script run-through, he appreciated that the narrative was born from the mind of a remarkably audacious individual.
It’s Vidyut Jammwal, the action maestro and producer, who lends his second production to the creation of a gripping sports action drama. Diverging into the world of underground sports battles, ‘Crakk’ positions Rampal in the formidable role of the antagonist, steering a life of extreme physicality and challenge.
Recalling the new experiences on set, Rampal shares, “Entering the industry bygone, this was a stark first for me—I didn’t recognize a soul. There I stood, opposite the action-enabled powerhouse, Vidyut. A man who’s no stranger to pushing the envelope in stunts and action sequences. Every day brought a new spectacle of physical prowess; someone doing backflips, another leaping from windows, or performing cycling stunts atop poles. All around, these exemplary athletes brought their A-game, and there I was, tasked to not only match but exceed their performances.”
The narrative weaved by director Aditya Datt, which also throws the spotlight on the likes of Amy Jackson and Nora Fatehi, plants action at its core, demanding an unwavering commitment from its cast. For Arjun Rampal, a gentleman who has graced the earth for 51 years, the undertaking was no stroll in the park. When quizzed about the role of age in the dynamic of fitness and performance, Rampal calmly reflects on his readiness to evolve and assimilate.
“You can’t sideline the exhilaration of learning,” insists Rampal. “Great experiences, great roles—they beckon you. My repertoire now includes skills like rappelling and slacklining, acquired from top-notch practitioners. An actor, much like a sponge, must continually learn and adapt. I mirrored this philosophy, spending ten days in Goa with Aditya, meticulously crafting my character’s narrative arc, imbuing it with a robust philosophy, while rigorously training for the action that the audience craves.”
His eyes gleam as he projects his vision for the roles that tug at him, “I am drawn to the scripts that spell discomfort, the ones that stir the pot of the conversational brew. I aim for more than applause—I aim for dialogue, for my work to be a catalyst for discussion.”
A thread that runs deep within the tapestry of ‘Crakk’ is the interplay of energies between the characters portrayed by Rampal and Jammwal. Their confrontational synergy forms a pivotal fulcrum for the film’s intensity. Rampal elucidates, “The heads-on clash between our characters turns electric only with the total abandonment of ego. To submerge into such roles, you must first strip stardom and personal whimsy from your conscience. Through a shared and elevated creative vigor, Vidyut and I nurtured a profound respect for our story and the beings we embodied.”
In conclusion, ‘Crakk—Jeetegaa Toh Jiyegaa’, emerges not just as another action film but as a crucible where seasoned talent meets the new age of action cinema. Rampal, at his prime, doesn’t shrink back from a daunting challenge; instead, he embraces it, signalling a potent blend of skill and storytelling. As audiences prepare to witness the cinematic saga unfold, what’s unmistakably clear is that Rampal, even at 51, remains a relentless learner, an artist dedicated to his craft and evolving in roles that demand exhaustive physicality and emotive depth.
