The surprise packet of Avengers’ superstar Chris Hemsworth’s new Netflix blockbuster Extraction is 16-year old Rudhraksh Jaiswal who shares almost every frame with the Australian superstar.
When I spoke to Rudhraksh he seemed dazed and dazzled by the experience. “It’s all so unreal…I never thought I’d be an actor. I was a state-level swimmer and also a mixed-martial-arts student. I was also good at my studies. Then one day I got a call from the casting director for an audition for an ad. I was reluctant as I had a swimming competition coming up. But my Mom persuaded me to give it a try. So I did one audition, then another…That’s how I got interested in acting.”
Extraction has changed everything for Rudhraksh. “I did a role in the serial Mahabharat before this film. But yes, Extraction was a big Hollywood film. And it was a different experience altogether.”
Very few Indian actors get this kind of pivotal role, and that too in a big-budgeted action spectacle. The 16-year old who played Sahadeva in a 2013 serial Mahabharat admits he was taken aback when he bagged the role of Ovi Mahajan the kidnapped boy who is rescued by Hemsworth from Dhaka’s mafia. “It came as a surprise. When I got the role I had no idea Chris was going to be my co-star. The casting director Tess Joseph, who has been instrumental in my getting this role, called me and I went through several auditions before I got the role. Then Ms Tess Joseph told me Sam Hargrave was the director and I was like, wow. I knew he did all the stunts for the Avengers film. I am a big fan of the MCU (Marvel Comics Universe). So was I surprised to get the role? Yes, and very very grateful for having bagged such a pivotal role in such a big film.”
Rudhraksh had to perform some really dangerous stunts. “But it wasn’t as hard as it looks because I have done a lot of gymnastics and I love sports. Also, Sam Sir (director Sam Hargrave) and Chris Sir (Hemsworth) were very supportive. Sam Sir has a distinguished stunt background and he was directing for the first time. It felt like a huge honour being part of Sam Sir’s directorial debut. And then he told me I’d be working with Chris Hemsworth. Until then I was just auditioning for 6-7 rounds. I had no idea whom I was going to work with. To be working with Chris Hemsworth and Sam Hargraves. Oh my God! I felt it was all a dream.”
Chris was very helpful. “Before we started shooting in Ahmedabad, we had several script readings during which Chris Sir helped me understand my role. He helped me to understand many of the intricacies of the script. He gave me a lot of acting tips. He taught me voice modulation. Chris Sir also helped me with my action scenes. He is super-fit and super-handsome. He’s always been very inspiring for me. And the way he rolled and jumped …I am really thankful, to Chris Sir. To watch him and his body-double Bobby Holland doing all those stunts was a very inspiring experience.”
At the end of Extraction there is a distraction where we get the feeling there’s going to be a sequel. Rudhraksh says he has no idea of this. “If it happens it will be good.I’d love to work with the crew again. But one of my friends pointed out the very interesting water connection between Chris Sir’s character and me. When he is introduced the film he’s meditating at the bottom of a river. When the film ends I am at the bottom of a swimming pool.”
Is it true Rudhraksh will be in the next Avengers film? “When last year Joe Russo Sir came to Mumbai to promote Avengers I mailed him to ask if I could meet him. He invited me over to the Taj.We spoke of the MCU. We shot some funny videos. And he told me I could be part of his next film and it maybe an Avengers film. So if that happens, nothing like it.”
Sadly, because of the lockdown Rudhraksh is missing it on all the public attention that Extraction would have probably got him. “Yes I could have done a lot more publicity for the film. But this is a time when all of us need to stay indoors. I could’ve gone to my school. My school friends keep face-timing me, asking for Chris Sir’s autograph. I love making them jealous.”
Rudhraksh is in touch with Chris Hemsworth who is in Australia. “I have been in touch with him. I keep asking him for acting tips and if there is a good acting school abroad I can attend. We wish each other for all religious festivals.”
Next from Rudhraksh is a film titled The Tenant where he again plays a pivotal role. “It’s been to a couple of film festivals. I will be released in August. My Mom is also taking to some major production houses. I want to pursue my acting career while I finish my studies and then I’ll be fully into acting. But right now I’m at home like everyone else doing household chores, cooking, cleaning. At the moment I am just another boy helping his mom during the lockdown.”