28 years since their Tamil blockbuster Indian (1996) released, actor Kamal Haasan and writer, director Shankar are gearing up for a sequel titled Indian 2, the trailer of which dropped last evening. According to the Indian storyline, the lead character Senapathy (Kamal Haasan) is a freedom fighter turned vigilante who makes a comeback to the country, to rid of the nation-wide corruption.
The first movie Indian showcased that Senapathy was born on April 30, 1918, making him 106 years old in 2024. Yet the Indian 2 trailer showcased Kamal Haasan moving about with the energy of a 70 year old; Senapathy's fighting skills in Indian 2 trailer too supersedes that of all the youngsters around him.
Before the Indian 2 trailer was released on YouTube, the makers had showcased it to press and media across the country, and one of the film reporters had raised doubts about the possibility of a 106 year old geriatric hero, displaying superior martial arts skills.
Director Shankar refers to Chinese martial arts master Lu Zijian who does dare devil stunts at 120 years of age, when asked about how 106 year old Senapathy can do it. #Indian2 pic.twitter.com/yHbvqMJGHA
— MovieCrow (@MovieCrow) June 26, 2024
To this, Indian 2 director Shankar made a reference to the renowned Chinese marital arts Grandmaster Lu Zijian (1893-2012), who lived with vigour upto 118 years of age. During his long life, Lu Zijian had mastered all aspects of the 'Wudang' martial arts form, just like Senapathy masters 'Varma Kalai' form of Kerala-based martial arts in the Indian movies.
Lu Zijian famously credited his long life and healthy spirit, to his constant practice of martial arts. Thus it doesn't come as far-fetched that Indian 2 trailer showcases a 106 year old Senapathy taking down men much younger than him, with his signature Varma Kalai and martial arts moves. Lu Zijian died on October 21, 2012 surrounded by his family and friends, a month before his 119th birthday.