Kabir Bedi reacts to the reboot of Sandukan: ‘There will be comparisons but…’

Kabir Bedi is popular in Italy and parts of Europe for playing the pirate Sandokan in the Italian TV miniseries of the same name. Reacting to the announcement of its reboot, starring Ed Westwick, John Hannah, and Alanah Bloor, Kabir said, “Sandokan had fantastic success when it came out, and that success has literally continued over the years because it keeps getting shown. Now, they are making a reboot and I think it’s a good idea because every generation wants to make stories that became iconic in their own way. With new technology, actors, and a new vision in the story, I am very happy about it.”

“I wish them all the success because it’s a great story. Secondly, because the new one is being made, suddenly people start talking about the series that I made all over again. That leads to comparisons and retrospect that makes my series contemporary again. So, I am very glad that the new series is being made because it truly ignites the legend of Sandokan,” he added.

ALSO READ | Kabir Bedi: The actor who became a European heartthrob, shocked India with his ‘open relationship’, had his female fans scream ‘We want your babies’

Film industry: Then and Now

Kabir Bedi has worked in the entertainment industry for over 50 years. Talking about the changes over the years, he shared, “Technology has changed and the nature of distribution has also changed completely. Social media has become a major thing now. The industry has become much more professional both here and abroad. We have the capacity to make films as good as anywhere in the world now.”

Kabir continued, “What remains is the need for a good story, good actors, and the desire for a film to touch you with a cinematic experience. That’s what people pay for in theatres; otherwise they can just watch movies at home. The basics of storytelling have not changed; only the making has changed.”

Tips for grand daughter Alaya F

Kabir Bedi’s granddaughter and Pooja Bedi’s daughter, Alaya F, is also strengthening her foothold in Bollywood. Reflecting on the same, he expressed, “Alaya is completely her own person. She is brilliant. She needs no tips from me whatsoever. If anything, I am inspired by what she does. She is so versatile and hardworking that I am proud of her. I am there for her if she wants any tips, but I don’t think she needs any. So far, she has pretty much made her own decisions and she has done brilliantly with different characters in all the films. I believe she will be one of the great actors of our generation.”

ALSO READ | ‘Main yeh jung jeet nahi saka’: Kabir Bedi on losing son Siddharth to suicide after schizophrenia diagnosis; how parents can cope

Khoon Bhari Maang experience

Kabir Bedi gained a lot of popularity in Hindi cinema after he played the role of Sanjay Verma in Khoon Bhari Maang, alongside Rekha. Recalling his experience of working on the film, he said, “I was working in America back then. It had already been more than 20 years since I was out of India. Rakesh Roshan told me that he wanted to cast me as the hero of the film. I was surprised because I thought I was in Hawaii and he was in Mumbai; why does he want me to be the hero? He said that you are the only man who can play the hero and villain at the same time. I left the series in America and shot it with Rekha, who was already an established and powerful actress in Bollywood by then. People really loved mine and Rekha’s pairing. The film became one of my biggest hits and I have very fond memories from it.”

“Every successful film gives you a wonderful high. When a project becomes a huge hit, it opens doors for you and changes your life in many ways. I will forever be grateful to Rakesh for casting me in the role. I am the one who benefited the most from the success of the film because I am the most visible face of it,” the actor concluded.