Filming of the Indo-Chinese joint venture film "Kung Fu Yoga," starring the 60-year-old Chinese martial arts star Jackie Chan and a host of Indian actors, is nearing completion.
Directed by Stanley Tong, who was at the helm of some earlier films starring Chan, began shooting "Kung Fu Yoga" late last year. The film will highlight the USPs of India and China.
In fact, "Kung Fu Yoga," a part of a three-film agreement signed between India and China during the visit of the Chinese President Xi Jinpingt to India in 2015, was originally scheduled to cast Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan and others. However, the Indian actor later withdrew from the movie citing his busy schedule. The project was undertaken keeping in view the increasing popularity of Bollywood films in China, Mid-Day reported.
In "Kung Fu Yoga," Chan portrays the character of a Chinese archaeologist on a mission to recover lost treasures of the ancient Magadh Empire in India. During the course of his search, Chan meets an Indian professor, portrayed by Disha Patani, who not only trains him in martial arts and yoga, but also helps the archeologist in his treasure hunt, Digital Journal reported.
The plot of "Kung Fu Yoga" also includes some fantasy scenes, such as time travel with Chan and the Patani travelling back to Bimbisara's era some 2500 years back. Bimbisara is said to be one of the first to write a dissertation on the yogic path and finding joy.
The story of the movie changes between the present and various periods in the past. "Kung Fu Yoga" also gives a glimpse of ancient Indian history, showing the rise and growth of the Magadh Empire. The movie briefly focuses on famous characters from ancient Indian history, for instance there are sequences featuring Chandragupta Maurya, a ruler from Magadh who was among the first to establish a pan-India empire. In addition, "Kung Fu Yoga" also shows Chandragupta's mentor Chanakya, who is famous for his books Arthashastra and Chanakya Niti, which are based on politics and good governance.
Earlier, another Bollywood heroine Katrina Kaif was selected to portray the Indian professor. But the producers later opted for Patani, who is a trained gymnast. Considering the fact that Chan is an expert in martial arts, "Kung Fu Yoga" will include a lot of action scenes. Perhaps this was the reason for giving the lead female role to Patani.
Watch the official trailer of "Kung Fu Yoga" below: