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Desi Boyz set the stage on fire!
The ever-energetic Akshay Kumar sprinted inside the discotheque followed by the brawny John Abraham; they flung their coats to the audience and began dancing to the film's popular number English Thumkein with such infectious vitality that the assembled media-persons stopped complaining about the delay and cheered and danced along themselves.
The podium was then literally set ablaze as the two hunks did a live fire-breathing stunt with remarkable ease, leaving everybody awe-struck. As if the heat generated wasn't enough, the sensuous Chitrangada Singh and the radiant Deepika Padukone made their entry, adding to the quantum of unbearable magnetism on stage.
Desi Boyz set the stage on fire!
The extremely good-looking quartet then did what seemed like a spontaneously choreographed number, and when all the energy and dare-devilry finally wound down somewhat, the actors were joined by film producer Nishika Lulla and debutant director Rohit Dhawan. And then came the questions.
What makes him a true desi, Akshay Kumar was asked.
"A lot of things. I eat only and only desi food, I am married to a desi girl, I try talking in Hindi as much as I can, I follow yoga which is a desi practice and I even have Ayurvedic medicines," said the actor who was in a very upbeat mood.
Could he say some words in Gujarati, a language he reportedly speaks briefly in the film? "Binna paisson ke mazzein lene aayi hain aap," (You have come without money expecting so much fun?) he shot back.
Desi Boyz set the stage on fire!
Asked what it was like working with Chitrangda Singh, he dead-panned, "It was amazing; she came right on time, and left right on time."
The four A-listers in the film which, so far, is making all the right noises and has heated up the trade, seemed very composed and in a quirky mood. When John was asked why he flaunts his muscles at the drop of a hat, he came back with the old line: "What is the point of having them when I cannot even flaunt them?"
The combination of John Abraham and Akshay Kumar draws inevitable comparisons with Garam Masala, but Akshay is quick to deny any similarities. Desi Boyz, he says, tackles a "far more serious issue" but in a "fun way".
Which is surprising since director Rohit Dhawan had, in an interview with this reporter, said that Desi Boyz is quite a serious film on a grave issue like unemployment. Everything at this promo event was so light-hearted and vibrant that it was hard to imagine that a sober issue could be part of the film at all.
But Dhawan insists, "I still stand by what I said. But let me add that we have struck a fine balance, including all the elements that are must-haves in a Bollywood film. But it's not mindless, and is backed by a strong story."
Desi Boyz set the stage on fire!
The two leading ladies, rumoured to be at loggerheads, showed no signs of it. "We had hardly any scenes together which prevented us from spending a lot of time together. So there was absolutely no question of a tiff," Deepika said.
And Chitrangada's take on the matter? "The reports said we fought over a dress. I think both of us are capable of buying dresses for ourselves and wouldn't fight over something as ridiculous as that."
As for the film and working with two smoking hot leading heroes, she said, "I think Indian men have a certain grace about them. They are never out of fashion." Working with Akshay and John was as 'hot' as you think it could be, she added, leaving us to imagine the rest.
Desi Boyz set the stage on fire!
The guys were less discerning. Asked what it is that he looks for in a woman, John Abraham said that, right now; it doesn't matter so long as she is a girl. While Akshay is fine with absolutely anybody, irrespective of whether she's clad in a salwaar-kameez or in a mini-skirt.
And who's the most desi actress he's worked with? "I think Sonakshi Sinha has a lot of Indianness in her appearance."
Akshay, who flaunts his rugged Punjabi munda background, has some innovative pick up lines, like, "Oye, aaj tu ek dum jalebi laag rahi hai (You look like a jalebi today)," he chuckles, adding that one should be proud of the traits that come from where you've been raised.
"Whether in London, USA or Australia, what is important is staying true to your roots. That I believe is also the essence of Desi Boyz."
Desi Boyz set the stage on fire!
If Desi Boyz is a hit, what will Rohit tell papa David Dhawan, whose Rascals was a disaster?
"If my film achieves even 10 per cent of what my father's films have achieved, I will be ecstatic. He has been often called the comedy king and I only hope I don't let him down," beta answers loyally.
After all the questions were done with, the fun took over again. In fact the highlight of the evening was when the actors proceeded to the bar and Akshay and John stunned everyone by juggling glasses like seasoned bartenders.
And they mixed no fancy cocktails, but good old desi baadam-pista flavoured milkshakes!