Vidyut Jammwal says his Street Fighter co-stars ‘know more about kalaripayattu, Indian culture than many Indians’: They can blow the shankh| Interview

Vidyut Jammwal says his casting as Dhalsim in Street Fighter felt closely linked to his own experience as a martial artist and kalaripayattu practitioner. Fans have praised the casting, pointing to the resemblance between the actor and the character.

A role shaped by martial arts and yoga

Speaking about the part, Jammwal said Dhalsim is a martial artist who practises kalaripayattu and yoga. Those elements made the character feel familiar to him, even though Dhalsim’s abilities extend into fantasy.

“He is a martial artist, a kalaripayattu practitioner. He does yoga,” Jammwal said. He added that Dhalsim performs the yoga flame and other supernatural feats that he cannot, but said the character was still “very close” to him.

Indian cultural references

Jammwal also said his Street Fighter co-stars know more about kalaripayattu and Indian culture than many Indians. According to him, they can even blow the shankh, highlighting the cultural elements connected with the project.

The actor’s comments place his martial arts background at the centre of his connection with Dhalsim, while distinguishing his real-world skills from the character’s supernatural abilities.