Did you have any difficulties with this project?
When we decided to make a sequel, we had to pay more attention to the script, change and add locations, and come up with additional fight choreography. Action films require more attention, and we had to prepare well for filming sequences among a herd of elephants.
There were problems while filming in Surin. During the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, we were in Prasat Tha Muan. When the military took control of the area, we had to leave the area.
Could you describe your new fighting style in more detail?
In Ong-Bak 2, I mixed all the martial arts for Tien's character, so we had to come up with something new for this part. We also introduced swords and clubs, adding them to the Nattayut movements first introduced in Ong Bak 2. Nattayut transforms Khon dance poses into a martial art.
We added dangerous scenes while fighting inside a herd of elephants. In the second “Ong-Bak” Dan Chupong and I had a fight with two elephants (?). Now, we are fighting among more than two dozen elephants and using more than two hundred extras. The scene was filmed properly in ten takes.
It was very important to prepare the elephants for two hundred extras. During the rut (must), we had to postpone filming and give the elephants the opportunity to get used to the smell of our bodies.
Nattayut was already in “Ong Bak 2”, wasn’t it?
It contained only a brief introduction to the style. Until now we have not detailed the movements.
For me, Nattayut is a dharmic martial art that can protect our souls from bad deeds. This is, in a way, meditation that can heal our hearts and souls.
Does your perception change when you work as both a director and an actor?
Being an actor, I get a script and play a role. As a director, I have to work on the details of each episode and communicate with many people on set. This broadens my perspective and helps me recreate my character better while performing the role.
Do you intend to shoot anything after “Ong-Bak 3”?
I would love to star in something new and unusual. I like cinema and martial arts. It could be anything: an action-comedy, melodrama or something in the style of James Bond. Who knows?
Sia Jiang says he has planned your collaboration with Donnie Yen. When will this happen?
In the near future, but we haven't settled anything yet. In fact, conversations have been going on since the time of the first “Ip Man”. The second part will be released soon (April 29), and I, in turn, was busy filming “Ong-Bak 3”, so maybe next time.
Who specifically would you like to work with?
With many. I would love to work with Jackie Chan, my childhood hero, as well as Jet Li.
You are already 33 years old. Has your age affected your action roles in any way?
I still do my own stunts despite some body issues. In the future I will probably work behind the scenes as a director and fight choreographer.
Will you continue to make Thai films or will you look for international projects?
Perhaps the time has come for international work. But first I need to look at the scenario. I will continue to make Thai films because I have a lot of ideas about adapting Muay Thai and our culture. International projects may have limitations in this regard; we will not be able to do what we want.
When you were filming Ong-Bak 2 and Ong-Bak 3, you faced problems both in your work and in your personal life. What do you think about it now?
This project is like dense karma for which I had to pay. But in the end, I got over it. Such troubles serve as good lessons, thanks to them I understood how to live further.
How have you changed since becoming a star?
At heart, I'm still a country boy who dreams of becoming an action star. The difference is that now, in addition to being passionate about stunt work, I'm also thinking about new ideas for fight choreography. Speaking of my personal life, when fame first “caught up” with me, I felt tension and anxiety. Now I live and feel more relaxed and free.
Posted by Parniyaporn Paji
Source: nationmultimedia.com
Translation: EvilDollaR
Thanks for another great translation.