Speaking Malayalam in 'Veeram' was challenging: Kunal

Bollywood actor Kunal Kapoor says one of the toughest aspects of shooting his upcoming film "Veeram" was that he had to speak in Malayalam, a language he found "extremely difficult."

The historical drama tells the story of Chandu Chekavar, played by Kapoor, an infamous warrior in the 13th century North Malabar. "Veeram" was made simultaneously in Malayalam, Hindi, and in English.

When asked how was it to shoot the film in Malayalam, Kunal told reporters, "It is a very difficult language. Now that I've done a film in Malayalam, I think I can do it in any language. We had a really hard time. It was a big challenge for me."
 

Kunal was speaking at the ongoing 47th edition of International Film Festival of India (IFFI), where "Veeram" was screened last night.

The "Rang De Basanti" star said shooting the film in three languages meant that the actors also had to tweak their performances slightly.

"What is really challenging for all of us is that when you're acting in three languages, it is not only the language that changes but also a little bit of acting style. There are subtle changes, how you'd say something in Hindi, English or Malayalam is very different."

The film, directed by Jayaraj, is an adaptation of William Shakespeare's "Macbeth" and this was something which instantly got Kunal on board.

"When Jayraj sir met me for the film, it was a dream come true for me to get a chance to work with somebody like him. It is a role which has so much transformation, layers, shades and complexities to it," he said.

"Even though it might seem it is far removed from our life, it is very close to us. We have had situations in our life where we had to choose between right and wrong and we have chosen wrong sometimes. Then we start justifying that before guilt takes over and we start doing things we never imagined before," the actor added.

Kunal, 39, said this is the biggest film he has starred in.

"I've never been on a film set with so many technicians who have worked in such big films and have come in from across the world to make it possible. Be it the make up, music, stunt directors. People from all over the world, with different backgrounds came in, so our common language was just cinema."

"Veeram" is scheduled to release in January next year.