Will Smith did beatboxing, indulged fans, and talked about his new movie 'Bright'
Will Smith returns to the sci-fi genre with his upcoming venture with streaming platform Netflix. Collaborating with his Suicide Squad director David Ayer, Smith plays the lead in the new movie Bright set to release on December 22.
Doing the global press and premier tour for the movie, Smith made a stopover in Mumbai on Monday and brought along co-stars Joel Edgerton, Noomi Rapace, and director David Ayer.
"What's up Mumbai?" Smith greeted the crowd that had gathered for the event. When asked if it was the casts' first visit to India, Smith seems to have forgotten the last time he was in Mumbai to launch Sony’s Pix channel and be a guest on Indian Idol in 2008. But a little reminder from host Rannvijay Singha refreshed his memory and he reminisced about enjoying Chicken Tikka Masala at Akshay Kumar's house party at the time.
The food conversation had The Girl with Dragon Tattoo star Noomi Rapace declare that she cannot handle Indian cuisine because the spices bring her to tears. But Edgerton and Ayer said that they don't think Indian food is challenging. Ayer confessed his love for little green chillies.
Edgerton recalled his first time visiting Mumbai in 2012. He visited the set of Ferrari Ki Sawari and presented an award at a show along with Vidhu Vinod Chopra.
As the conversation steered to naming the biggest prankster on the sets of Bright, Ayer was quick to point at Smith. But as it turned out, Edgerton was the ace in that department. He recalled that the cast and crew were shooting on location and they'd have to return to base every day - with Edgerton still in makeup. He'd wave at fellow roadsters and shock them.
Edgerton spent 3 hours to put the prosthetics and makeup on to play an orc and an hour to take it off. Will Smith lauded Edgerton's dedication to it.
Echoing Smith's sentiments, director Ayer said, "The movie is a lot about Joel's (Edgerton) character, who's playing an Orc. In this society, orc's life is much harder and he has dreams. The message of the movie is, no matter who you are, you need to achieve your dreams. Nobody can tell you who you are, nobody can define you, but you. You live your life from your heart."
Bright is a story of two cops Jakoby and Ward. First one is an orc and latter is a human. In this fictional society, the orcs are discriminated against with Elves being on top of the social ladder. It's Ayer's attempt at commenting on the current social-economical issues.
Talking about the same Will Smith said, "It is easier to digest social issues when wrapped in the sci-fi genre."
Smith concluded the event with beatboxing a desi tune which had Edgerton and Ayer shake a leg.
The interaction was hosted by Rannvijay Singha and Bani J.
Before the cast came out to meet the fans, music composer duo Vishal and Shekhar had the fans enchanted with their power-packed set that lasted about an hour. Chart-topping numbers like Swag Se Karenge Swagat, 10 bahane, I hate love story, Come to me, Salaam Namaste, had the crowd grooving.
Vishal even indulged a fan request to play the song Madari he performs with his band Pentagram.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Will Smith")
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}