Act Two

Though the 59-year-old actor looks youthful,wrinkles on his face are a giveaway to the fact that age is catching up. “I am looking for any role other than action films. I want the audience to think of me as a good actor who can fight,not an action star who can act,because an action star’s life is short,” said Chan,whose latest Chinese action film,Chinese Zodiac ,opened the film festival. There will be 10 film screenings during the festival,ending June 23.

Chinese Zodiac is set in the 19th century when the Allied troops burnt down an imperial garden in China and stole the 12 heads of the Chinese zodiac. The film is directed by Chan,who also plays Asian Hawk,the protagonist who is on a quest for these relics. Chinese Zodiac is among Chan’s last action films; the actor repeatedly said that he was “looking for any other role in future”.

Over the years,Chan has delivered hits in Chinese (later dubbed in English) such as Drunken Master,The Young Master,and the Armour of God series,besides Hollywood blockbusters such as the Rush Hour franchise. Look closely at Chan’s career and you realise that the actor,who has spent four decades in films,has paid his dues in many painful ways — breaking his nose three times,both his cheekbones,almost all fingers and cracking a hole in his skull while shooting for a film.

The last time Chan was in India,it was for the shooting of the Stanley Tong directed bummer,The Myth,starring Mallika Sherawat. He can’t wait to work in another Bollywood project. “I love the kind of films being made in India. I saw Three Idiots recently and loved its music. I think I am very interested in working in a Bollywood film now. But the right script is very important,” said Chan,who is also working on a musical adaptation of his autobiography,I am Jackie Chan: My Life in Action.

After action,what? “I want to be called the Asian Robert DeNiro. I want to be a true actor. I am not looking for money,only for a good script,good music and good dancing,” he said,“I may also play a romantic character.”