Abhishek Madrecha on working with Shahid Kapoor in ‘Jersey’: He is extremely sincere with his craft, there was so much I learned by just observing him – Exclusive | Hindi Movie News

Shahid Kapoor and Mrunal Thakur‘s ‘Jersey‘ may not have received a great response at the box office, but the film means a great deal to actor Abhishek Madrecha, who played the role of Viru, the vice captain. Speaking to ETimes, Abhishek got candid about his rigorous prep for the film, warming up to Shahid Kapoor and Mrunal Thakur, being in awe of Pankaj Kapur, the dismal performance of the film at the box office and much more.

“Jersey was a dream journey for me. Being a cricket-oriented story, we had to undergo a rigorous prep for two months before the filming. I remember how tiring the practice sessions used to be and we wouldn’t come out of the ground until we got it right. I have my director Sir Gowtam Tinnanuri to thank for guiding us through the journey and of course Mukesh Chhabra Sir for this opportunity,” Abhishek shares.

Working with Shahid Kapoor was a worthwhile experience for Abhishek. Recalling the first day they met, Abhishek says, “I remember being on nerves before the filming began, but Shahid was so warm and down to earth that all of us instantly felt comfortable. He’s extremely sincere with his craft and that’s a quality I truly admire. Throughout my scenes with him, there was so much I would learn by just observing him. The best part was that it was always a fun set with all of us having our time and moments behind the scenes. I remember the countless times the cricket ball wouldn’t hit right and the soda bottles wouldn’t open the way they were supposed to on action and we would all just burst into laughter on set.”

The actor was charmed by Mrunal humble nature and believes she is a force to reckon with. “Although I only had a few scenes with her, I found her to be super sweet and she was always ready to take on the scene. I was in awe of Pankaj Sir as well who I believe is a true legend. Just being on the same set and sharing screen with such wonderful actors and human beings made the experience a memorable one,” he adds.

Reflecting on the dismal performance of the film at the box office and the comparisons and criticisms the film is receiving being a remake, Abhishek says, “We have made this film with a lot of heart. Whenever it comes to remakes, comparisons are bound to happen but ‘Jersey’ has been an earnest endeavour by an entire team to tell a meaningful story and I’m happy that the same has resonated with fans across India.”

Abhishek who was previously seen in films like ‘Kaabil’, ‘Laal Kaptaan’ and ‘The Zoya Factor’, has a couple of web series and film offers coming his way. “It’s too early to talk about it. I am exploring some projects and reading a few scripts right now,” he signs off.