All beefed up, Salil Ankola readies a Kattappa, minus ‘Baahubali’

All beefed up, Salil Ankola readies a Kattappa, minus ‘Baahubali’

In ‘Naagmati’ - a South production and multi-lingual venture - Salil Ankola will be enacting Somu, a character resonating in ample measure to that of the iconic Kattappa of ‘Baahubali’. Ajit Ramachanddran quizzes the cricketer ace & actor   

The physique spells fitness. Muscular arms, ripped muscles,broad body frame, et al. At ND Studios in Karjat – situated in Maharashtra, India – Salil Ankola, in a sober printed tee ensemble is all grins and guffaws amid the media-tribe and other invitees, who have shown up in numbers to witness the mahurat of ‘Naagmati’ – a South multi-lingual venture cast in the period horror thriller genre.
“I’ve only taken care of the biceps and triceps bit, no six-packs,” says Ankola, all smiles at the stares his fit bod has been drawing. “Looking back, I think that I’ve done more of acting than cricket, and more of television than films,” he says,“ I do think that I must have easily crossed 6,000 to 7,000 episodes of TV work. And that’s something that I did not even realise at that time.”   

Cult Twist
In a move that is expected to rake in more cachet, Ankola has been summoned up to enact a character that is nothing short of iconic. The role of Somu in ‘Naagmati’- that bears a striking resonance to that of Kattappa in ‘Baahubali,’ a character that’s assumed cult status.

Fated Gift?
Ankola, however, opines that this cinematic gift to him seems fated, almost karmic in flavour. “During the lockdown, I had created a gym at home and had started working out too,” he says, “The character of Somu in ‘Naagmati’ – that of a warrior and royal protector requires me to me all beefed up. So, when the character of Somu was offered to me, I was fit and already in great shape for the role.”

Tough Tamil
His spouse, incidentally, is also a crucial factor in getting him to nod assent to the character. “My wife is from Pondicherry and likes everything about the South,” says Ankola, “So, when she came to know that the film is going to be made in Tamil also, she was very keen that I do it. I’ve got one dialogue in Tamil to memorise, and I’m already going nuts over it! But, I’m also very lucky that I have a Tamil tutor at home to help me out, my wife.”

First Aces
The South project is a premier effort for Ankola on varying fronts. “This is my first film assignment, post the pandemic,” he says, “This is also the first time that I’m shooting at ND Studios. It’s also the first time I’m working with director V. C. Vadivudaiyan in ‘Naagmati’. When I met him I voiced my apprehensions about playing the character of Somu, but he was convinced that I was the right choice.”

Two Challenging
“The character in ‘Naagmati’ ages from 30-plus to 65- plus, and it will be a real challenge for me to do both the parts, “ he says, “I’m already 50-plus, so enacting the older character won’t be too difficult for me. It will require me to put in a lot of nuances for both characters. But I do feel that once we start filming ‘Naagmati’ and I will be in character, it will all flow out easily. It’s been 22 years of acting, but I still feel like a newcomer.”

Weighty & Piercing   
“The nice part is that the costumes of Somu in ‘Naagmati’ won’t be too heavy,” says Ankola, “In the ‘Karmaphal Daata Shani’ TV serial my costume for the character of Suryadev weighed about 32 kgs. My crown itself weighed about 6 kgs! I felt that I would have a crick in my neck, if I wasn’t careful enough. There are action scenes, sword-fighting ones in ‘Naagmati’ and those are going to be very challenging. Once during the filming of a sword-fighting scene for a serial, a sword actually pierced my hand and I ended up getting seven stiches.”       

Movie Trail  
“I began my career in cinema with ‘Kurukshetra’, which was directed by Mahesh Manjrekar,” says Ankola, “I accepted the film because Mahesh was a friend. My very first scene was with Sanjay Dutt. I had a one-page dialogue to remember and was quite stressed. Sanjay told me to take a chill-pill and deliver the scene. He was very encouraging and helpful and that helped greatly in me getting the scene right. But I do feel that I must have lost out on some good roles because I was trying to create a balance between films and cricket. Also, since I was not too familiar with the manner in which the film industry works, that too must have hampered some of my chances in getting certain films.”  

‘83’ On Cinematic Field
The Kabir Khan-helmed flick ‘83’ gearing up to illumine screens, holds a crucial highlight for Ankola. “In the film is my son-in-law Chirag Patil, who’s married to my eldest daughter,” says Ankola, “I’ve known Sandeep Patil for years and Chirag since he was a child. In ‘83’ Chirag is playing his father Sandeep, and he knows that I am going to be his most severe critic.”

NCB Revelation
Among the clutch of pen-pushers, one takes it upon himself to quiz Ankola on the newsy Aryan Khan- NCB controversy. “What can I say?” retorts Ankola with unusual swiftness. And adding significantly, “But I will tell you this, an important family member of mine was instrumental in setting up the Narcotics Control Board (NCB).”
For a certain Shah Rukh, that’s Khan-tastic news, surely.

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