Nitu Chandra Srivastava On Her Inspiration In Hollywood: I Definitely Look Up To Irrfan Khan

Nitu Chandra Srivastava recently made her debut in Hollywood with the film, ‘Never Back Down – Revolt’. Nitu Chandra Srivastava, a Taekwondo champion, appeared in a few high-octane action scenes in the multi-starrer film, which was directed by filmmaker Kellie Madison and produced by Sony Motion Pictures Worldwide.

While ‘Never Back Down – Revolt’ was released on November 16, 2021, the film finally premiered on Indian screens on March 19 on &Flix, and it has been trending all over social media ever since. It’s unprecedented to see a film get so much love and affection from audiences on all social media platforms.

Talking of the film, it centres around a lady who is kidnapped by a group running a fight trafficking ring and also stars actors Michael Bisping, Brooke Johnston, Diana Hoyos, and James Faulkner. She must fight her way out by participating in elite underground bouts.

In a short chat with Prateek Sur, Nitu Chandra Srivastava talks about how she got the film, how she trained for it, her idols who’ve been a guiding light in her Hollywood career, and what’s more in store for her from Hollywood. Excerpts from the chat:

You made a Hollywood debut with ‘Never Back Down: Revolt’. How did the role come to you?

I was based out of LA, and I went for the premier of ‘Bad Boys’- the Will Smith film in Sony studios- colour city LA. I was invited there and met few people. People started noticing me as most of the people were skinny, very fair, blue-eyed, blonde hair and then I was courageous brown skin, black hair, black eyes. I feel, I stood out. While I was in search of good roles, I was introduced to David Zelon at the premiere itself. And then David asked, “Apart from films what do you do, what is that special thing you love to do?” I said, “I am a black belt 4th dan in Taekwondo and have represented my country and I am damn good at it”. David laughed and said “you’re so confident” and I was like “I am”. David then asked me to meet him for lunch the day-after.

My attitude has always been on the lines of – ‘you must give it a shot’. Without giving it a shot, it will always be a ‘NO’. So always give it one shot. I am a confident person, but I do understand the difference between over-confidence and super-confidence. Then, I met David and Audrey. Audrey is the writer of the film. By the end of the meeting, David told Audrey – ‘write and design a character around Nitu and her skills and it must be in the main leads’ because I had told David I will not do a small role. Even though I don’t come from any background, I was confident to say a ‘NO’ to something I didn’t want to do. Audrey then wrote ‘Jaya’ which I am playing in the movie. That is how I got ‘Never Back Down: Revolt’.

You are into martial arts so how different was it in ‘Never Back Down’ than what you normally do?

Everybody who was a part of the film, trained. But idea is, if you have a base into martial arts and your body has muscle memory to remember, you are pre-conditioned to certain moves. Since I am a black belt 4th Dan Taekwondo player, it was easier for me. The fight master ‘Tim Man’ used the choreography of Jujutsu, Taekwondo, Karate and Kick boxing – a mix of all these came easy to be as I am trained in Martial Arts since childhood.

The character of Jaya is totally de-glam and very different from what you’ve done in the past. Do you love doing de-glam characters which are more realistic and hard-hitting?

I have actually built my career from de-glam roles. I started with ‘Garam Masala’ which was very glam but my next film was ‘Traffic Signal’ which was totally de-glam, from the streets. ‘Oye Lucky Lucky Oye’, ‘Apartment’, ‘13B’ were all de-glam roles. In ‘One Two Three’, I played a police inspector which was again de-glam. I have also been doing ‘Umrao Jaan’ in theatre and I insist on it because that role also on the stage was not very glam. I play a girl who has her journey from 17 years of age to 85. So, it doesn’t really matter to me. Its always how you justify the character basis what is the requirement of the character. So, for me I feel that if I can justify the character given to me then this glam or de-glam doesn’t really matter. All my films that have won national film awards are all de-glam – ‘Oye Lucky Lucky Oye’, ‘Traffic Signal’, etc. So, I prefer doing a good job on what is given to me and that is what my satisfaction is.

There are many Indian actors who’re making waves in Hollywood. Is there anyone who inspires you? Someone whom you take inspiration from when you’re thinking about your Hollywood journey ahead?

Not really. Actually, I was looking for a good script, whether it would be in Bollywood, or Hollywood that doesn’t matter. I have also done a Greek film and that script was also very good. I have done South Indian films as well. I have worked in ‘Singam 3’ with Suriya, I have worked with R Madhavan and quite a few others. All these scripts are very very good. I was looking for work everywhere in the world. Today the world has become very small and it doesn’t really matter where you are based out of. You get work anywhere. You can go and do it.

But yeah, I definitely look up to Irrfan Khan whose presence is being felt in the biggest of the movies. Every role that he has done in international cinema and Hollywood is being talked about. I look up to people who look up to their craft between ‘Action’ and ‘Cut’ and Irrfan Khan has always been that person.

How different are the environments on a Bollywood film set and that of a Hollywood film set?

I personally feel that it is a little more managed and everything is properly set in place and the script is followed to the core. Now Bollywood is also following the same thing so it isn’t that different. Now Indian movies are going to London and different parts of the world. It is the same situation, same call time, same make-up and hair systems. I see things have changed drastically here as well and it is very well managed nowadays. India has drastically moved forward in all these areas and everything is well managed. A little change which I feel there was that everyone was at the same level of work, eating food, everything. No matter what the person is doing, whether it is a van guy or a makeup artist, everyone stands in the same queue and eats their food together which makes everyone feel very united, respected, loved and cared for.

What next after ‘Never Back Down Revolt’ can we see you in Hollywood? Are there things which you’ve already signed?

You will see me in Hindi first, now. Two months back on Zee 5 there was a movie with Randeep (Hooda) and me which has come out called ‘Operation Fryday’. That time I was there, but I am here back and doing 2 more Hindi films. I have two more films there but that will start end of this year or next year. In the meanwhile, I will finish two films in Hindi and one in South India as well.