After an auspicious screen debut as Alex Vincent Medina’s alter ego
in “Babagwa (The Spider’s Lair)” at Cinemalaya last July, Kiko Matos is
now the new leading man of sought-after sexy actress Solenn Heussaff in
Benito Bautista’s Bollywood-inspired romantic comedy, “Mumbai Love”.
“I play Nandi, an Indian guy who was born and raised in Manila but also goes back to Mumbai from time to time as my family lives there. Although he’s Indian, Nandi is the type of guy who contradicts tradition and follows his heart. He doesn’t want to be in an arranged marriage that his father and mother want for him,” Kiko told InterAksyon during the last shooting day of the film.
Kiko added that Nandi’s defiance of his
family and cultural tradition is put to a test when he meets Ella
played by Solenn, a liberal and free-spirited Filipina. The rest of the
film will then chronicle how Nandi and Ella will figure out how to end
up with each other in the face of all the odds stacked up against them.
Director Benito Bautista, who previously helmed the acclaimed documentary “Harana”, describes his follow-up feature film as “a cross-cultural romantic comedy that is not only a love story but is also a story about how two cultures can come together as one, setting aside all racial stereotypes and social class barriers in the name of love and friendship”.
Asked what it’s like to meet and work with Solenn whom he himself describes as “one of the biggest names in the industry,” Kiko said the experience was overwhelming for him.
“The first time I met her, I was immediately mesmerized, I wouldn’t know what to tell her. During our scenes, I would stutter at times,” he confessed. “But eventually, I realized I needed to level up because I was given the chance to become the lead guy. I have been given that trust and I have to deliver what is expected of me. So far, I’m really satisfied with the progress I’ve made.”
It’s not only Solenn that overwhelmed Kiko but the rest of the film’s
impressive cast, including Ronnie Lazaro, Raymond Bagatsing, Jayson
Gainza, Martin Escudero, Angelina Kanapi, Jun Sabayton and Romy Daryani,
an Indian actor who is introduced in the film.
“It was my first time to meet all of them so the experience was really more of a challenge for me as I needed to keep up with all these good actors,” he admitted.
Kiko seems to have a done a good job in the film as co-star Ronnie Lazaro has already cast him in his film directorial debut, the production of which will immediately start after “Mumbai Love” wraps up.
Asked if he was familiar with Indian culture prior to doing the film, Kiko, who seemed to be still in character as he spoke with an Indian accent during the interview, said he has several Indian friends and watches Bollywood films from time to time.
“But I was never immersed in Indian culture as I was immersed now,” he said. Kiko became more fascinated with India after the cast and crew flew to Mumbai to shoot parts of the film there.
“Mumbai is amazing, it’s a very beautiful city, the culture there is very different from the Philippines and the people are literally very colorful especially with how they dress up. Sa lahat ng anggulo, ang ganda ng makikita mo doon.”
The food ain’t so bad either. “I’m not a Bicolano but I think I have a Bicolano tongue. I love spicy food. When we went to Mumbai, I felt like I was home. Hindi ako tinablan ng anghang ng pagkain nila dun, We were warned not to eat too much though because our stomach is not used to the so many spices they put in their food. But I would love to go back there again,” he further enthused.
True to its Bollywood inspiration, “Mumbai Love”, which will open in January, will have song and dance numbers. Direk Benito Bautista has already confirmed that Solenn will be singing in the film. What about Kiko?
“I wanted to sing but unfortunately, the singing doesn’t want me in return,” the actor joked.
For more CHIKA Patrol updates FOLLOW or LIKE CHIKA PATROL on Facebook and Twitter andADVERTISE with us email at ilovekakulay@gmail.com
“I play Nandi, an Indian guy who was born and raised in Manila but also goes back to Mumbai from time to time as my family lives there. Although he’s Indian, Nandi is the type of guy who contradicts tradition and follows his heart. He doesn’t want to be in an arranged marriage that his father and mother want for him,” Kiko told InterAksyon during the last shooting day of the film.
Director Benito Bautista, who previously helmed the acclaimed documentary “Harana”, describes his follow-up feature film as “a cross-cultural romantic comedy that is not only a love story but is also a story about how two cultures can come together as one, setting aside all racial stereotypes and social class barriers in the name of love and friendship”.
Asked what it’s like to meet and work with Solenn whom he himself describes as “one of the biggest names in the industry,” Kiko said the experience was overwhelming for him.
“The first time I met her, I was immediately mesmerized, I wouldn’t know what to tell her. During our scenes, I would stutter at times,” he confessed. “But eventually, I realized I needed to level up because I was given the chance to become the lead guy. I have been given that trust and I have to deliver what is expected of me. So far, I’m really satisfied with the progress I’ve made.”
“It was my first time to meet all of them so the experience was really more of a challenge for me as I needed to keep up with all these good actors,” he admitted.
Kiko seems to have a done a good job in the film as co-star Ronnie Lazaro has already cast him in his film directorial debut, the production of which will immediately start after “Mumbai Love” wraps up.
Asked if he was familiar with Indian culture prior to doing the film, Kiko, who seemed to be still in character as he spoke with an Indian accent during the interview, said he has several Indian friends and watches Bollywood films from time to time.
“But I was never immersed in Indian culture as I was immersed now,” he said. Kiko became more fascinated with India after the cast and crew flew to Mumbai to shoot parts of the film there.
“Mumbai is amazing, it’s a very beautiful city, the culture there is very different from the Philippines and the people are literally very colorful especially with how they dress up. Sa lahat ng anggulo, ang ganda ng makikita mo doon.”
The food ain’t so bad either. “I’m not a Bicolano but I think I have a Bicolano tongue. I love spicy food. When we went to Mumbai, I felt like I was home. Hindi ako tinablan ng anghang ng pagkain nila dun, We were warned not to eat too much though because our stomach is not used to the so many spices they put in their food. But I would love to go back there again,” he further enthused.
True to its Bollywood inspiration, “Mumbai Love”, which will open in January, will have song and dance numbers. Direk Benito Bautista has already confirmed that Solenn will be singing in the film. What about Kiko?
“I wanted to sing but unfortunately, the singing doesn’t want me in return,” the actor joked.
For more CHIKA Patrol updates FOLLOW or LIKE CHIKA PATROL on Facebook and Twitter andADVERTISE with us email at ilovekakulay@gmail.com
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