Martial Rule

But his story proves otherwise. With his father in the armed forces and hence travelling,his mother used to spend time at an ashram in Kerala,where Jamwal would visit her during the breaks at his boarding school in Shimla. It’s during these breaks that his romance with martial arts began. “The ashram was a hub for learning Kalaripayattu. I would join in during the workshops and even travel with the group for shows. At three,there wasn’t much I could do but I started to imbibe the lifestyle,” he recollects.

Over the years,he realised that his “routine training” was akin to what people call stylised Hollywood action. That’s when his mind opened up to the option of films. He knew that whatever he did,action and martial arts would have to be central to his being. In 2003,he moved to Mumbai.

However,unlike many,Jamwal didn’t spend the last eight years chasing directors,crashing Bollywood parties or networking. When he wasn’t walking the ramp,he would scout the city’s martial art studios in search for people to train with. “That’s when I discovered the Dharavi kids,whom I have trained in Kalaripayattu,” he adds.

His meeting with Kamat was more a case of a mere chance. “A common friend was aware of his hunt for the villain in Force and suggested I meet him,” he says. He claims that he was never apprehensive of making a debut with a negative role. “I have never believed in convention. So I wasn’t ever waiting for that big debut as a hero. Instead,I knew that the character should be action-oriented.”

The plunge he took with Force has indeed paid off. On his visit to a screening of Force at Bandra’s Gaiety-Galaxy theatres,the audience,upon recognising him,insisted that Jamwal tear off his shirt to strut his chiselled body. “People whom I had always wanted to meet,now want to meet me. Until now,I had only heard of instant fame. Now,I believe in it too,” says Jamwal.

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