Amy Jackson: Empowering to see women doing action

Vidyut Jammwal

For someone who has been facing the camera since she was 15, the only thing Amy Jackson seeks is thrill. Crakk, which is an extreme sports film, is then the answer to her pursuit. Vidyut Jammwal leads Aditya Datt's directorial offering that revolves around a man from the slums who gets sucked into the world of underground extreme sports. Jackson admits matching Jammwal's action skills wasn't easy.

"Rigorous training helped me prepare for the film. Vidyut's dedication to the action genre has always been an inspiration to me. I watched all his movies after signing the project; it was part of my research for the role. The action choreography, however, came naturally. I've always loved boxing and kickboxing, and practice them as a form of exercise. I also incorporated Muay Thai into my training regime to get an all-round martial arts understanding for my character," she says.

It's heartening to see how Hindi cinema has evolved to depict leading ladies match their male co-stars punch for punch. The actor is all for it as she says, "It's empowering to see women doing action in films; it sends a positive message to young girls, showcasing strength, resilience, and breaking stereotypes. It's evident even in Disney movies today! Gone are the days when princesses needed a knight in shining armour, they're their own heroes now."

The year began on a joyous note for Jackson, who got engaged to actor-boyfriend Ed Westwick last month. So, what drew him to the actor, known to his fans worldwide as Chuck Bass from Gossip Girl? "What I love about Ed are his Cancerian ways. He is sensitive but strong, and not afraid to show his emotions. That's what makes him an amazing human being and actor."